Bear Encounters Are Rising across the United States. Here’s Why.
They climb through bedroom windows and open car doors. They sneak into restaurants, fire stations and vacation rentals. Across the country, black bears are foraging for food.
Across the United States, black bear encounters with humans are on the rise this year in at least 15 states. This includes Colorado, where reports have increased by up to 200 percent, and Utah, where bears in cities have reached a record high. The rise in encounters is attributed to environmental conditions such as drought, low snowpack, and warm, dry conditions that disrupt black bears' natural food sources, causing them to venture farther and take greater risks around developed areas.
In California, a black bear broke through an open window in a cabin to raid the fridge, eating expensive food like avocados, brioche buns, and tri-tip steaks. In North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, officials reported increased bear-related calls due to similar environmental factors. In Connecticut, a black bear known as Bear 213 had a string of encounters over the past year, breaking into homes and garages, despite being deterred by dogs.
Experts warn that as more people move into bear country, humans must adapt by securing food sources and storing garbage properly to prevent attracting bears to their properties.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
