Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My - Part One

Well, not really lions and tigers, but bears, oh my, yes. Depending on where you live, or vacation, you should be aware of some bear basics. Some people prefer to call it bear etiquette as bears do have a certain social structure that is in your best interest to become familiar with. In my home state of Maine there are about 22,000 black bears, more than any other Eastern state. We have seen them lumbering down the road right past our farmhouse, so I know for a fact they are around these parts!

Black bears are omnivores, meaning they will eat plants and animals. They prefer to eat vegetation such as berries, green plants and nuts but will eat insects, carrion (dead animals) and other live mammals should the opportunity arise. Bears are usually very timid and they do not normally attack humans unless provoked or should the bear feel their offspring are being threatened. A male's average weight is 250 - 500 pounds, females run about 125- 200.

With new communities being built all the time, the bears' regular habitats are becoming more and more scarce. This increases the chance of an unwanted and potentially dangerous encounter between human and bear. People that want to live "closer to nature" sometimes find they are even closer than they had planned on being. It is important to remember to respect the bear's personal space.

The baby bears are born in the middle of winter during the semi-hibernation of the mother bear. This lessens the possibility of the cubs needing the services of a wildlife rehabilitator. Human intervention is usually only needed in rare circumstances. The difficulties in teaching young bears to learn to fend for themselves make it necessary to find a rehabilitator who has lots of experience with them. The process is a long time-consuming one.

Should you discover a cub or cubs without their mother - Don't touch them! The mother may be just out of sight and if you inadvertently get between the mom and her babies she WILL attack you. If you are able to observe them for a while from a distance and no mother shows up (or you see a dead mother, i.e. hit by a car etc) , call your local warden service or the state police to get help. DO NOT attempt to capture the babies as they will be fearful of you and probably try to bite you because they are afraid of you. If any wild animal bites you, it will have to be euthanized and tested for rabies. It is not worth the life of a vulnerable infant, just to touch one. More next time about bears and you.....

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