Bears in Mountains of North Carolina are Hungry
I just did a story out of Alaska about a bear attacking a moose in someone’s yard now it seems we are seeing an increase in predatory behavior in the bears because of scarcity of natural foods for them. So far two dogs have been eaten by bears recently according to North Carolina Wildlife Commission. Of course there is nothing unnatural about eating most family pets just a bit bothersome and traumatic to say the least.
Biologist Mike Carraway had this to say to the Ashville Citizens Times.
Bears kill or injure dogs every year, and it’s always the same scenario, Carraway said.
“The dog is being aggressive, barking at the bear and the bear is basically just defending itself and its cubs,” he said. “It’s common for this to happen in the spring when bears have small cubs.”
Increased development in mountainous areas also is a major contributor to the bear problem, Carraway said. People are moving into bear habitats, forcing bears to other areas.
The population of bears is also increasing, he said.
“There are large places like the city limits of Asheville where there is no hunting, no way to control the bear population and they just keep reproducing,” he said. “The city of Asheville is like a bear sanctuary.”
Wildlife officials believe the recent Easter freeze depleted some of their natural food sources.
It’s too early to say if it has affected their food supply through the summer and fall, but current indications show that bears are being more aggressive, Carraway said.
If you live in and area that has bears you beer be mindful so you don’t have a surprise encounter with one. Here is a couple of publications from NC Wildlife you may wish to check out. “Living in Black Bear Country” and “Black Bears in Residential Areas”
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Seems only fair, since dogs have lead to the deaths of more than their share of bears…. :}
Comment by Sauceman — May 9, 2007 @ 9:46 am
Seems to me like they should allow hunting in Ashville so we can help maintain the population of bears, a short season at least. And mabey even prolong the seasons in other areas.
Comment by amanda — May 9, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
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Pingback by Moose Droppings » Intruder Shot Dead — May 10, 2007 @ 8:33 pm
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Pingback by Moose Droppings » Mountain Bears Mauling Pets on the Rise — May 25, 2007 @ 12:43 am