Why you may see more black bears this summer

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

As spring officially gives way to summer, black bear sightings spike across the United States. This is because the bruins have awoken from hibernation and several months in repose have left them with a bad case of the munchies.

"During hibernation, black bears are essentially in torpor or asleep for three to four months," says Kari Kingery, wildlife program manager for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, of which she is also a member. "But then they wake up, and their energy reserves are highly depleted, so they're very hungry."

The caloric deficit incurred by hibernation is so deep, it takes most bears until mid-July before they can get back to their base weight and start building back energy stores for the next winter, says Kingery.

In the meantime, they use easily available sources of human food to build their supply back up. "We have bird feeders. We have garbage cans that are waiting to be picked up on Tuesday morning. There are cat foods and dog foods on porches," says Kingery.

But free food isn't the only thing causing black bears to move around this time of year.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/articles/why-may-see-more-black-110000256.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Actually MOST DID NOT get a full hibernation because (at least out West) there was no real winter

so they came out early to dry conditions and less to eat.

Why this article seemingly did not address this disastrous aspect, surprises me.