Wild Women: Bears And Cubs
By: KARK 4 News
Updated: March 1, 2012
What are bears up to right now?
Mama bears gave birth to their cubs earlier in the winter.
They only weighed about 12 oz. when they were born.
They're now up to about 4 pounds and are in their dens nursing on mom's very rich milk.
Our biologists are doing denning work this time of year--they locate radio collared female bears and sedate the mama and pull her and her cubs out of the winter den to collect data.
Mama bears gave birth to their cubs earlier in the winter.
They only weighed about 12 oz. when they were born.
They're now up to about 4 pounds and are in their dens nursing on mom's very rich milk.
Our biologists are doing denning work this time of year--they locate radio collared female bears and sedate the mama and pull her and her cubs out of the winter den to collect data.
How has this mild winter affected our bears?
Despite our lack of winter, bears are pre-disposed to have their metabolism slow and go into their winter sleep.
Biologists are finding roly-poly bears in their dens this year--they are quite fat and healthy!
And, all the females that they've checked had cubs, which is a sign of their health.
Despite our lack of winter, bears are pre-disposed to have their metabolism slow and go into their winter sleep.
Biologists are finding roly-poly bears in their dens this year--they are quite fat and healthy!
And, all the females that they've checked had cubs, which is a sign of their health.
What should we be aware of this spring with
bears?
Mama bears den up a second winter with their yearling cubs.
They will come out in March with those year-old-cubs and will fairly quickly send them packing because it's time for them to breed again.
Female cubs may be given part of mom's home range, but male cubs are pushed out.
These young males can become a nuisance around homes while they're finding their way in the world.
Remove food sources such as pet food and bird seed to keep them moving.
We hope to have fewer bear issue this spring with the health of the bears, acorns still being on the ground from fall and, hopefully a promising berry crop.
Mama bears den up a second winter with their yearling cubs.
They will come out in March with those year-old-cubs and will fairly quickly send them packing because it's time for them to breed again.
Female cubs may be given part of mom's home range, but male cubs are pushed out.
These young males can become a nuisance around homes while they're finding their way in the world.
Remove food sources such as pet food and bird seed to keep them moving.
We hope to have fewer bear issue this spring with the health of the bears, acorns still being on the ground from fall and, hopefully a promising berry crop.
