BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON, Utah (ABC4) — It’s not every day commuters spot a bear. But that’s exactly what happened in Big Cottonwood Canyon, where a recent sighting serves as a reminder that Utah’s wildlife is never far away.
Greg Blackburn, a Salt Lake Resident, said he was driving down from a hike and saw a tree moving and another car stop. When he pulled over to take a closer look, he saw a bear.
The bear was just climbing the tree and eating leaves up past the parking lot for Lake Blanche Trailhead, Blackburn said.
Drought drives increased bear encounters: How to protect Utah’s bears and keep them wild
Bear sighing have become very common in Utah over the past few days. Sightings have been reported in Spanish Fork, Springville, Provo and even in Moab.
Across the state of Utah, the DWR said that they are dealing with more bear issues than in previous years. Drought conditions impact plants and other vegetation that make up black bears’ diet, so DWR biologists think that the animals may be seeking alternate sources of food.
Another bear spotted in Utah County, officials say
“In times of drought there, there just isn’t a lot of berries available, which is what they are looking for this time of year. And so, it’s just harder for them to find food. So, they start roaming a little bit further afield trying to find those food resources,” said Prof Nicki Frey, Utah State University Extension, Human-Wildlife Interactions.
What do I do if I encounter a black bear?
The Division of Wildlife Resources has provided some safety tips on what to do should you encounter a black bear in Utah:
- Stand your ground: Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent.
- Don’t run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph you cannot outclimb or outrun them.
- Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it’s not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.
- If a black bear attacks, always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.
More information on how to stay safe around black bears can be found here.…