Bear Aware

As black bear populations in the Eastern U.S. continue to increase, so do problematic interactions with humans. According to a new AP story, there have been over 15,000 run-ins between people and black bears east of the Mississippi in the past year. With less wild space in the overdeveloped region for the growing numbers to roam, the bears are getting into backyards, where they find fast easy meals in garbage cans or dog food bowls. As a result the bears are food trained with no fear of humans. Another startling statistic is that 1,300 bears were struck by cars in 2008. Read more here.