Grizzly reality: US states grapple with uptick in encounters between bears and humans
Summary
Several US states are seeing more encounters between bears and people. This rise is linked to more bears living in the wild, changes in food availability caused by weather, and more people living or visiting bear habitats.Key Facts
- Wyoming expects to kill more bears this year than in past years due to increased encounters.
- At least 15 US states have reported more frequent and serious bear-human encounters.
- Bear populations have grown since hunting and habitat loss were reduced 50 years ago.
- More people visit US national parks now than in the past, increasing contact with bears.
- Warm winters and drought in the western US have reduced natural bear foods like berries and acorns.
- Bears search for food in developed areas when their natural food is scarce.
- Connecticut, Florida, Colorado, and New Mexico have all reported more bears near homes and more attacks this year.
- Colorado had its highest record of bear attacks, including a woman bitten in her tent.
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