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Show A Bear Invasion? Maybe So in Utah In the last month, parts of Utah have been invaded with small black bears. Rodney John, big game supervisor of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, reports that at least 24 black bear cubs have come down from their mountain moun-tain ranges into or near towns in lower elevations. "It's a bit of a surpise. The cubs are young and should be with the sows this time of year. We have never witnessed such regular appearances in Utah before, but we are aware that it has happened in other states." John said. He continued. con-tinued. "Idaho has experienced experien-ced similar problems in years past." John indicated that the exact reason for the cubs showing up is not known, but game mangers in the Division theorize tt the late frosts (mid-June) nd drought conditions condi-tions this yar had a significant signifi-cant effect Ci the vegetative growth in ares throughout the state. "Specif-ally, the frosts and drought aScted the berry and acorn cros that bears depend on to build up fat reserves before hibernating. This means that lars are now having to work petty hard to find enough food o build up those reserves," sid John. Mr. John contined, "The direct effect, we Ulieve, is that the sows, withdt the fat reserve or perhajs even adequate nutrition ft themselves, them-selves, are not able oi willing to suckle the cubs. Thy will,' in situations like this, kck the cubs off and leave thtm on their own. It's a srong self-presentation instinct. The f. cibs, left on their own, seem h motivated to move to lower eltvations, perhaps following l thewater courses down." h Snce the situation may r conjnue to occur, people t shoud be aware that the cubs (- are generally harmless if left ! alone Do not attempt to r captun the animal. Notify the f. nearest conservation officer, j- He will make the necessary f arrangements to take the cub l back to tie mountains where it r- is best suited for survival, r "Evideice from other states indicates hat the cubs have a r- good chance of survival even 1" though they are young," John r concluded. f. One more lote for those who h think the bears would be cute r to have around for a little while: It is illegal to capture, - harass or hold the bears unless, of course, the cubs ' molest livestock or constitute i threat to human safety. 1 |