Bears Coming Out Of Hibernation
Division Of Wildlife Works To Reduce Number Killed by Landowners
Biologists hoping to reduce the number of black bears shot by landowners are trying to keep the animals from wandering into residential areas as they wake up from hibernation this year.
Wildlife experts said that last year, Colorado landowners killed more than 100 black bears that came into populated areas.
With an estimated 8,000-12,000 bears now emerging from hibernation, biologists want to prevent bears from picking up the habit again.
"Those bears that are waking up now are going right back to where they got their food last fall," Division of Wildlife bear expert Tom Beck said.
Discouraging that kind of behavior during the first few weeks of spring is key, said Wendy Hanophy, a Division of Wildlife education specialist.
The division has enlisted several dozen "Bear Busters," people who can respond to non-emergency bear complaints and offer advice.
Many businesses have agreed to distribute information about avoiding human-bear conflicts. Others are investing in costly "bear-proof" trash bins.
The division will also pass out information during bear awareness week, which runs from Saturday through May 12.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will host two experts on black bears Monday evening. Tom Beck and Steve Hererro will present ?Bears and Humans,? from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Phipps IMAX Theater. The lecture marks the beginning of the Colorado Division of Wildlife?s bear awareness campaign emphasizing the importance of learning to live with wildlife, such as bears, if Colorado is to maintain its diverse wildlife populations.
"Primarily, we'll be talking about how we can live with bears," Beck said. "Bears have already learned how to live with us, and they're darn good at it."
Drawing from more than two decades of research, Beck will share with Monday night?s audience his insights on bear habitat, movements, behavior and food preferences, as well as important changes in the way black bears are managed in Colorado and the western United States.
Hererro, who comes to Denver from the University of Calgary, will bring his expertise on bear ecology and behavior to analyze the nature of black bears and their complex interactions with people. To bring the issue more to life, both lecturers will present an extensive slide collection on the IMAX Theater?s large screen.
Tickets for the lecture ?Bears and Humans? are still available at $5 for Museum members and $8 for nonmembers. For more information or to make reservations, please call 303-322-7009 or 800-925-2250
Rob Ramey, the Museum?s curator of zoology, explains that bear?s problems are usually the result of human actions.
?Bears get into trouble because people are careless,? Ramey said. ?If you live in the mountains or go camping and hiking in the wilderness, treat your food and garbage like you?d treat your valuables.
"Make them inaccessible. Keep them out of sight and smell, locked up, wrapped up and don?t leave them unattended. Bears aren?t ?bad,? they?re just hungry.?
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Wildlife experts said that last year, Colorado landowners killed more than 100 black bears that came into populated areas.
With an estimated 8,000-12,000 bears now emerging from hibernation, biologists want to prevent bears from picking up the habit again.
"Those bears that are waking up now are going right back to where they got their food last fall," Division of Wildlife bear expert Tom Beck said.
Discouraging that kind of behavior during the first few weeks of spring is key, said Wendy Hanophy, a Division of Wildlife education specialist.
The division has enlisted several dozen "Bear Busters," people who can respond to non-emergency bear complaints and offer advice.
Many businesses have agreed to distribute information about avoiding human-bear conflicts. Others are investing in costly "bear-proof" trash bins.
The division will also pass out information during bear awareness week, which runs from Saturday through May 12.
The Denver Museum of Nature and Science will host two experts on black bears Monday evening. Tom Beck and Steve Hererro will present ?Bears and Humans,? from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Phipps IMAX Theater. The lecture marks the beginning of the Colorado Division of Wildlife?s bear awareness campaign emphasizing the importance of learning to live with wildlife, such as bears, if Colorado is to maintain its diverse wildlife populations.
"Primarily, we'll be talking about how we can live with bears," Beck said. "Bears have already learned how to live with us, and they're darn good at it."
Drawing from more than two decades of research, Beck will share with Monday night?s audience his insights on bear habitat, movements, behavior and food preferences, as well as important changes in the way black bears are managed in Colorado and the western United States.
Hererro, who comes to Denver from the University of Calgary, will bring his expertise on bear ecology and behavior to analyze the nature of black bears and their complex interactions with people. To bring the issue more to life, both lecturers will present an extensive slide collection on the IMAX Theater?s large screen.
Tickets for the lecture ?Bears and Humans? are still available at $5 for Museum members and $8 for nonmembers. For more information or to make reservations, please call 303-322-7009 or 800-925-2250
Rob Ramey, the Museum?s curator of zoology, explains that bear?s problems are usually the result of human actions.
?Bears get into trouble because people are careless,? Ramey said. ?If you live in the mountains or go camping and hiking in the wilderness, treat your food and garbage like you?d treat your valuables.
"Make them inaccessible. Keep them out of sight and smell, locked up, wrapped up and don?t leave them unattended. Bears aren?t ?bad,? they?re just hungry.?
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
