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Defenders Magazine
Wildlife: Life in the Fast Lane
It's a sad fact: Individuals that live near urban areas weigh more, get pregnant at a younger age and are more likely to die violent deaths—individual black bears, that is.
After tracking 12 bears over a 10-year period around Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and comparing them to 10 bears living in outlying wild areas, researchers with the Wildlife Conservation Society found that urbanized bears, with their heavy diet of human garbage, weighed an average of 30 percent more than their wild counterparts. This added girth means they start to give birth several years earlier than wildland bears. Vehicle collisions also take a violent toll, with cubs paying the highest price.
The study warns that urbanized areas are becoming "sinks" for black bear populations, drawing them in from outlying wild areas and leading to their earlier deaths. "They're becoming the ultimate bear traps," says lead researcher Jon Beckmann.
If you live in bear country, read our brochure Living in Bear Country (PDF) to learn
more about steps you can take to become more bear aware.
