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Saturday, Nov 21, 2009 08:49:19 PM |
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      TRACKING WV BEARS 
W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Biologist "Obviously, you can see it's a bit rainy and nasty out, but this when we do our den work." Dedication... Gray Sharp W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Biologist "You have no idea how happy I am to see this gal going back up the hill."
Chris Ryan "We have a great bear population down here. Our guys have been tagging and handling a lot of bears. We've handled 335 adult bears, 678 times in the last couple of years. We look at different survival and reproductive rates, specifically of the females. Also, we've been looking at nuisance male activity.
When a bear is located, researchers use stealth approach to get close to the den. Chris Ryan "We are whispering because bears are not true hibernators and they can be easily aroused from their den, so they can be awakened anytime and come out of their den. We just send two guys to tranquilize the bear." Today was a very rare case where the bear did leave the den. Gray Sharp "The first dose probably got in her fat and that was the reason she was able to leave. Everything is done to leave the den as it was found. That meant carrying mom back up the hill.
When handling bears researchers always use gloves to minimize the contact and human scent left on the bear. Mom rejoins her cubs. Gray Sharp "Hear that contented chatter the cubs make? They're happier to see her than we are."
Gray Sharp "She won't be able to smell us. She will smell the vicks and we will put that on the cubs and then whenever she comes to we're all going to be gone. Hopefully, she will just think this is a nightmare." All this hard work is paying off. Chris Ryan "We have gotten a lot of good useful information on this bear population. That can effect hunting seasons and has helped to better manage the bears." The research has shown that bears can move up to 50 miles. Also, the study has focused on nuisance bear problems. The W.Va. DNR recommends that you put your garbage in a bear proof facility. Links to learn more Black Bears in Myth and Reality WVBears.org All About Black Bears BlackBear.org Living With Nuisance Wildlife - Bears: W.Va. DNR Southern Bear Study: W.Va DNR W.Va. State Animal, the Black Bear StateHouseGirls.net Black Bears in North America U.S.G.S. Grizzly Bear And Black Bear Ecology U.S.G.S. Bear Hunting Season Results: W.Va DNR |
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GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA'S WILDLIFE  
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