Wildlife officers in southern Colorado have issued a public warning after seeing a “worriesome” enhance in human-bear conflicts this summer time. Earlier this 12 months, we reported that 2023 had introduced a big drop in human-bear conflicts within the state.
In accordance with a press launch issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, considerably extra bear traps have already been set this summer time in comparison with final 12 months, they usually’re unsure of the season for the uptick.
“It’s bizarre as a result of issues are inexperienced, we’ve had respectable moisture and pure meals is obtainable, so it’s exhausting to clarify why we’re having so many points,” says CPW Space Wildlife Supervisor Adrian Archuleta of Durango.
“It’s been sizzling and heavy right here for the final two or three weeks, and it’s not exhibiting indicators of slowing down.”
Although it’s regular for bear exercise to extend forward of hyperphagia, when bears fatten up earlier than going into winter torpor, that doesn’t usually happen till late summer time early fall.
Although it’s regular for bear exercise to extend forward of hyperphagia, that doesn’t usually happen till late summer time early fall (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
The information launch explains that one motive for the rise may be all the way down to extra bears dwelling in “marginal habitats” nearer to human habitation. Whatever the trigger, nevertheless, CPW has a transparent message for everybody in southern Colorado: take away attractants from your house and preserve a clear camp.
“Incidents begin with a bear entering into one cooler at a campground, after which a number of weeks later, we now have a bear getting right into a tent or leaning on hard-sided campers,” says Archuleta, who added that at-home attractants like pet meals, unsecured trash, uncleaned BBQ grills and hummingbird feeders additionally current a problem.
“The incidents folks assume are small – like that cooler or pet meals – result in conduct that presents a hazard to human well being and security.”
“As this 12 months is proving, simply since you haven’t seen a bear in a number of years, doesn’t imply that one gained’t present up this week and reap the benefits of a human meals supply. Make these meals sources unavailable and a bear will transfer on,” says Kevin Bryan, District Wildlife Supervisor in Cedaredge.
Staying protected whereas tenting in bear nation
One of the best ways to cope with bear encounters is to keep away from them within the first place. In case you are tenting in bear nation, the CPW has the next recommendation:
- Don’t preserve meals in your car; roll up home windows and lock the doorways of your automobiles.
- When car-camping, safe all meals and coolers in a locked car.
- Preserve a clear camp, whether or not you’re in a campground or within the backcountry.
- When tenting within the backcountry, dangle meals 100 ft or extra from the campsite in a bear bag; don’t deliver any meals into your tent.
- Arrange your tenting range and camp kitchen properly away out of your tent and put together all meals at a distance; wash dishes totally.
This article by Julia Clarke was first printed by Advnture on 29 July 2024. Lead Picture: Wildlife officers aren’t capable of clarify why they’re having to set so many extra bear traps as in comparison with final 12 months (Picture credit score: Getty Photos).
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