Utah Bears End Hibernation Early. That Could Be a Problem.
April 13, 2015 -
Each winter, Utah scientists use signals from collared black bears to find the dens where mother bears and their cubs are hibernating. This past winter the region's weather was so warm that the mothers left their dens early. But food for them is still scarce, and scientists are concerned that could mean increased bear-human conflict.
Read more about the warm winter's effect on Utah's black bears.
Transcript
BRAD CROMPTON, WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
RESOURCES:
We’re following radio-collared bears—female bears—to monitor
production and survival of bear cubs.
ON-SCREEN TEXT: Each winter, Utah scientists use signals
from collared bears to find the dens where they and their cubs are hibernating.
In 2015 Utah's weather was so warm that the mothers had already left their
dens.
BRAD CROMPTON, WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
RESOURCES:
We’ve had some very warm and dry conditions throughout
southeastern Utah this winter. I think
it has prompted bears to leave the dens and bit early. Typically they don’t
leave their dens till April.
WALT MALDONADO, DEDICATED HUNTER PROGRAM & WALK-IN
ACCESS COORDINATOR, UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES:
This is the earliest I’ve ever seen them on the move.
It’s been 55 degrees.
It’s like Spring. It was just
like Spring.
I’m nervous because their coming out too see [and] there’s
nothing to eat. There’s not much water and I’m nervous about that.
BRAD CROMPTON, WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST, UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE
RESOURCES:
We learn a lot about bears based on what we see in these
bear dens. If bears are having cubs, then if those cubs survive their first
year and are in the den again as yearlings, it tells us a lot about the growth
rate of the population.
It also helps us kind of gear up for potential bear/human
conflicts. On years where we are going to have a whole lot of yearlings coming out
of the dens, yearlings tend to get in trouble first cause it is the first time
by themselves. And we can kind of
predict those years coming.
WALT MALDONADO, DEDICATED HUNTER PROGRAM & WALK-IN
ACCESS COORDINATOR, UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES:
I know we have a quote “population problem” but this might wreak
havoc on our population. I think it is going to cause conflict too. I think they are going to be scavenging for
whatever they can find to eat. And so I’m nervous. This is just totally unusual and hate to see
it come to this on because they are going to struggle. And I’m not sure how much of the young ones
can make it when there’s nothing for them to eat or not much water to drink.