Foraging Bears Causing Problems

Santa Fe New Mexican - Drought, fire and hunger have prompted a lot of bears to roam into human-inhabited areas in recent weeks. One elderly female bear dubbed "Grandma" by state Department of Game and Fish wardens even wandered into a central Santa Fe neighborhood Aug. 9. But the wanderings can be deadly, usually for the bear. The state Department of Game and Fish reports 158 bears have been euthanized in New Mexico since April. Some died because they had lost their fear of humans and kept entering neighborhoods or coming near homes, said department spokesman Dan Williams. Some were killed for damaging property. Generally, if a bear returns at least three times to a human inhabited area, game wardens consider euthanizing them. "But it really depends on the circumstances," said Williams. "We base our decision on the individual bear. If it is a bear coming into a rural area apple orchard and not bothering anything else, it is hard to justify putting the bear down." Read full story here: News New Mexico

Foraging Bears Causing Problems