It is August – what are Black Bears as much as?
Ontario’s Black Bears are busy in search of meals in August!
They solely have a couple of quick months earlier than they go into hibernation.
In August, Black Bears are targeted on discovering scrumptious berries like blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Guess what time it’s?
~
Time to pack on the kilos!
Bears want to achieve a whole lot of weight in a short while.
From the time bears enter their den to hibernate till pure meals are ripe once more the subsequent summer time, bears can lose about one third of their physique weight.
That’s as a result of they don’t eat when they’re hibernating, utilizing their physique fats as power.
A bear that weighs 150 kg can lose as much as 50 kg from when it enters the den in November, till the pure meals develop into plentiful in July. This cycle occurs yearly. Black bears endure a cycle of feast and famine yearly.
~
Are bear cubs weaned but?
Black Bear cubs born within the den in January/February are busy little balls of fur in August.
Each day they’re studying new issues from mother, together with what to eat!
Cubs are nonetheless nursing, though the weaning course of is underway. They’re getting an increasing number of of their energy from pure meals, like berries.
The household unit remains to be intently bonded and can hibernate as a gaggle collectively within the fall.
Bear households keep collectively for 17-18 months.
~
The place do bears hand around in August?
You’ll discover bears the place berries are ripe.
Bears could also be noticed close to hydro strains, forest disturbances comparable to areas the place hearth has lately swept by, roadsides, and forest edges.
They’ve glorious long-term reminiscence and can return to areas the place they’ve discovered plentiful meals sources up to now.
Black Bears are most lively throughout daybreak and nightfall hours.
~
Be alert – preserve a watch out for indicators of bears
Black Bears will go away many indicators of their presence.
Flipped over rocks, claw marks on bushes, and contemporary bear scat are all indicators of latest bear exercise.
In August, Black Bears are so targeted on consuming scrumptious berries that they might not hear an approaching human, so make a lot of noise when out in bear nation.
When you see berry bushes that seem like they’ve been trampled down, a bear might have been foraging there.
~
What if I encounter a bear?
Tens of millions of holiday makers have secure and gratifying visits to Ontario Parks yearly.
Random clapping of the arms, a fast “Hey bear,” and plenty of dialog will deter most bears out of your neighborhood, nonetheless, it’s essential to be alert and conscious of your environment always.
Understanding react to a bear encounter is essential.
~
Don’t ever run or climb a tree
Bears are quicker and higher climbers than all people. Approaching a bear is a nasty concept. Bears have private area similar to people, and each bear is completely different.
When you see a bear earlier than it sees you, cease, don’t stroll nearer for a greater look. Quietly go the other way, whereas keeping track of the bear till it’s out of sight.
If the bear is or turns into conscious of your presence, calmly establish your self as human. Increase your arms above your head and say, ‘Hey bear.’
More often than not, as quickly because the bear is aware of you’re a human it is going to run the opposite method.
To be taught extra about what to do when encountering a bear, go to the Bear Smart web site.
~
What about my canine?
Free-roaming canine trigger issues for wildlife.
In provincial parks, all canine should be on a leash of two metres or much less always until in a licensed off-leash location.
That is particularly essential in bear nation.
Unleashed canine might harass a bear, then return to their homeowners. This will trigger a chase response which will lead a bear again to the proprietor.
Please preserve your canine leashed to scale back the potential of a destructive interplay with a bear.
Black Bears are superb animals.
Let’s all do our greatest to respect and coexist with the Black Bears who name our protected areas house!
~
