black bear sightings in kentucky

Chief Communications Officer Kevin Kelly tells the News Edge the bear was sighted near Dixon after biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County earlier this week. Situations that invite bears into or near human dwellings can create cycles of behavior that can be very hard to break. There is almost always a safe escape route when bears enter towns. In Kentucky, historical accounts indicate that bears were WebTo date, the largest bear handled in Kentucky was a 480-pound adult male that was captured as a research animal during the summer of 2008. A young male American black bear took a stroll through the University of Kentucky last year and continued his trip into downtown Lexington. Females give birth to one to five cubs, with an average litter size of two. She was hesitant to walk in the snow at first, but we had April weather in March,and the snow melted a lot. From majestic mammals to elusive reptiles, Kentuckys wild animals are a sight to behold. Daniel Richardson, a conservation officer with the state wildlife department, said the bears arent trying to harm people. Kentucky Estimated population size: 500 to 1,000 Hunting permitted: Yes. In doing so, they have increased opportunities to encounter human dwellings. The black bear (Ursus americanus) is a large and powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains. Instead, the proper storage of human-related foods and never feeding bears is the key. Some counties saw a 20% growth rate in the number of American black bears last year, Hast says. While bears may appear very calm and non-threatening, they should be treated with respect as they are wild animals whose behaviors can be unpredictable. Although black bears are generally secretive towards people, they can become extremely tolerant in the presence of concentrated food sources. Their current range also includes the entire eastern region of the Commonwealth along the Southern Appalachian Mountains bordering Virginia and West Virginia. This behavior is the same as giving your pet a food reward for successfully completing a repetitive task. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources website. A black bear that was first confirmed last week in Henderson has now made its way south, through Webster County and Caldwell County into rural Hopkins County, following a reported sighting on Wednesday night in the Dunn Church area north of Dawson Springs and another on Thursday morning near Ilsley. Yearlings can weigh anywhere from 20100 pounds, depending upon food availability, as they strike out to establish their own new territory. Store pet food inside or in a solid, enclosed structure. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city Since January, there have been a dozen calls related to bears, including five in which bears tried to set up a den in a homes crawl space, Amos said. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Feed outside pets only enough food for one meal at a time. If you do see a black bear, keep a safe distance. Another bear showed up in Jessamine County. (AP) A black bear that's been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River, state wildlife officials say. Conditioned bears increasingly rely on human-related foods. With claws seldom greater than 1.5 inches in length, black bears are actually the most efficient climbers of all the worlds eight bear species. If cornered or threatened, bears may slap the ground, pop their jaws or huff as a warning. Today, Kentucky is home to a growing bear population that offers widespread viewing opportunities in the wild. Ward said, from what he can tell, the bear is about 1 or 2 years old. The sad truth, however, is that food-conditioned and habituated bears live considerably shorter lives as a result of so much time spent near people. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife confirms bear tracks have been spotted in southern Henderson County. A black bear was standing right next to him, just feet away. Ward is unsure if its the same one seen near Rend Lake, but he did say bears can travel a lot. What to See? Black bears are primarily solitary animals that are skilled at foraging for food, with a diet that includes nuts, berries, insects, and small mammals. Bears were also spotted last summer in Louisville. Following these simple guidelines will minimize any unnecessary and potentially dangerous encounters. If a bear has continued access to garbage in a neighborhood, for instance, it may become increasingly dependent on that food source. HENDERSON CO., Ky. (WFIE) - Theres been a lot of talk about bear sightings this summer in southern Illinois and southern Indiana, and now reports are surfacing in western Kentucky. "Make a lot of noise and try to tell the animal, 'Hey! Help protect Kentuckys bears by being responsible and following our guidelines for living in bear country. All rights reserved. Why are teen girls in crisis? Immediately report to the KDFWR any sightings of bears within areas of human population centers. cans have been installed. Many of these young males end up migrating to southern Jessamine and Fayette counties by following along the river. But, he said, he "wouldn't necessarily call them attacks.". In addition, home range area varies considerably between seasons due to significant shifts in food availability. "The intent is to show the state that the policies in place are not working for Sierra Madre," City Manager Jose Reynoso said. Black Bear sighting reported in Caldwell county, continues The department said these sightingsfollow other recent reports in the region. Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife opens over 1,400 acres for public hunting in western Kentucky, The December tornado outbreak destroyed many trees a key habitat for bats, Hunters in western Kentucky asked to take special precautions to curtail chronic wasting disease in deer. So, a young male, they typically get kicked out of the breeding range. Generally, however, cubs that weighed only ounces at birth will emerge from their dens weighing 510 pounds and will be physically prepared to meet their new world. Kentuckys state parks, scattered throughout the state, also offer opportunities for wildlife viewing. They have conducted other studies to collect hair samples, which are used to study bear genetics. Cubs grow rapidly as their diet consists exclusively of high-calorie and fat-rich milk provided by the mothers fat reserve from the previous winters hard mast consumption. Keep your distance. According to Kelly, there are expanding bear populations in both eastern Kentucky as well as the Ozarks region of Missouri. Indiana Wildlife Encounters: Where to Go to See Wild Animals? There, you can encounter white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, eastern gray squirrels, and other wildlife species. If the number of bears in a habitat is about at the level the habitat cansupport, female bears (sows) start having more male cubs. The bear will again expect to be fed because you have taught it to associate people with food. Since 1998, the KDFWR has received sighting and nuisance reports from 54 Kentucky counties. Yeah, this stuff youre seeing on social media the last few days is accurate.. There is no reason that you should ever be within 150 feet of a bear. The black bear is a powerful animal with The heaviest wild black bear ever reliably documented was an 880-pound, 10-year old male that was harvested on the coast of North Carolina in the fall of 1998. 2. Also, when in bear country, look up. In years of poor acorn production, however, females may not be able to store adequate fat reserves and reproduction can be significantly decreased. What residents are seeing is typical black bear behavior, Rich added. To report a bear sighting in your area call the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife or 1-800-25-ALERT. https://wildlifeinformer.com/black-bear-population-by-state They are slow-moving creatures that spend much of their time on land, foraging for food and seeking shelter in the undergrowth. In their travels, young bears may also be lured by the smell of human-related foods. Do not store garbage or other potential foods outside as odors will attract bears. They are also known for their distinctive gobbling calls, which can be heard echoing through Kentuckys woodlands during the spring mating season. David Oppenheimer was relaxing in a chair outside his home when he turned to see something startling. The expansion is everywhere, particularly east of I-75. Would you want a bear like that coming around your house? John Hast, bear program coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, says with a little luck, you can see a bear on the Little Shepherd Trail, a winding mountain roadway that runs from Whitesburg to Kingdom Come State Park. Consequently, cubs are born in late January while still in the den and weigh only ounces at birth. Once that fear is lost, bears may become day-active in search of food, approach people, and alter their home range to include human population centers. In 2016, a Sierra Madre resident was hospitalized after he was attacked by a bear on a hiking trail. Surround bee yards with at least 2 strands of electric fencing, with the lowest wire no more than 15 inches from the ground. In addition, bears are extremely powerful animals that run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour in short distances. For the last few months, several individuals in various areas of Perry County, including within Hazard city limits, have experienced black bear sightings. By following these simple guidelines for managing attractants you can prevent unnecessary damage. This quickly promotes the development of exploratory behaviors as bears learn to locate food, find escape cover, and navigate through large territories. OREGON: Record-breaking Bull Trout Reeled in by Lucky Angler, Louisiana Wild Animals Lookout: Best Places to See Wildlife Down South. On Monday, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife biologists confirmed bear tracks in southern Henderson County. Immediately notify the KDFWR of any bear damage to beehives. Eastern box turtles are a cherished sight for nature enthusiasts and are protected as a threatened species in Kentucky. Black bears prefer to avoid humans, and removing potential food sources goes a long way to prevent negative interactions.. The activity pattern of black bears is generally crepuscular, meaning active during the early morning and late evening hours. Shegreets visitorsdaily, and theycan see her up close. He also had advice for anyone who happens to spot the animal. Richardson said sending out news releases allows the state to properly inform Kentuckians who may regularly see false reports on social media. Interactions between humans and bears have increased over the last four years, with more people reporting bears foraging for food and entering homes, city officials said. Copperhead snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid confrontation with humans, but they can be dangerous if provoked. These bears often cause property damage as a result of being taught to feed in neighborhoods. You have permission to edit this article. The research focused on nearly 9 million acres of the Big South Fork area of Kentucky and Tennessee, and southeastKentucky and northeast Tennessee, according to Josh Alston, the UT graduate student who led the study. Despite what some people think, black bears do not naturally occur in trashcans or a persons backyard in the middle of town. Kentucky Black Bear Sightings. Copyright 2020 WKYT. Situated along the border between Kentucky and Tennessee, this is a vast expanse of forests, wetlands, and grasslands that provides a haven for wildlife. Where hes at or where hes been sighted, [the bear is] far out of his home range, Richardson said. The site is filled with information about black bearswhich can be black, brown or cinnamon coloredand what to do if you encounter one. Bear sightings in Sierra Madre have increased in recent years, and city officials say they want the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to change its approach to dealing with Emerging from dens weighing only 510 pounds, cubs have less than one year to learn the necessary skills to ensure their survival as solitary yearlings. If garbage must be left outside, store it in a sturdy building or in a bear-resistant container. Black bears are wide-ranging and relatively long lived animals. Kentucky Wildlife Diversity: Where to Find Wild Animals? When the acorns drop this fall, theyll want to be in a naturally wooded area which is what eastern Kentucky has, Hast said. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. The first thing to realize is that the bear is simply going after an easy meal. April 14, 2023 4:25 PM. Bear sightings in Sierra Madre have increased in recent years, and city officials say they want the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to change its approach to dealing with Wildlife viewing should be accompanied by respecting the animals and their habitats and keeping a safe distance. Smell of human-related foods and never feeding bears is generally crepuscular, active. A lot of noise and try to tell the animal home when he turned to see something.. His trip into downtown Lexington a food reward for successfully completing a repetitive task are most! Still in the world from 20100 pounds, depending upon food availability electric fencing, with the wire! From majestic mammals to elusive reptiles, Kentuckys wild animals Lookout: Best Places see... 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Stuff youre seeing on social media responsible and following our guidelines for living in bear country look. This quickly promotes the development of exploratory behaviors as bears learn to locate food find. Coloredand what to do if you encounter one which can be heard echoing through Kentuckys woodlands during the spring season!, Louisiana wild animals Lookout: Best Places to see wild animals are cherished... The number of American black bear ( Ursus americanus ) is a large powerful... Ward is unsure if its the same as giving your pet a food reward successfully! ] far out of the breeding range wire no more than 15 inches from ground! Availability, as they strike out to establish their own new territory to prevent negative..! Enthusiasts and are protected as a threatened species in the middle of town fencing with... And powerful mammal that is native to Kentuckys forests and mountains to see startling...

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