Viewpoints
If you really want to save
the bears....
By Denise Jausoro
November 07, 2007
Wednesday AM
The bears were cute when they were little. I even felt sorry
for "BooBoo" after his mother was killed. I don't
anymore. Halloween morning I discovered that a bear, probably
two, had spent the evening in my 2000 Explorer, feasting on two
cases of apples. Not satisfied with just devouring the apples,
they destroyed the interior of my vehicle for no apparent reason.
They are not cute anymore.
The next night, a 300-pounder camped on my doorstep until I threatened
him. He grudgingly left. This morning, my husband and I discovered
that a bear tried to open every door on his Tahoe last night.
Enough is enough.
I know the bears are going
into hibernation soon. But, for some of them, it is not soon
enough.
I suspect that people are actually feeding them. Please stop.
I don't blame the bears for the damage to my vehicle and the
countless others that have been damaged this year. I blame those
people.
Opening vehicle doors is not
natural behavior for bears. This is learned behavior. Bears
are supposed to forage for food in the forest and the creeks,
not on porches, decks and vehicles. Every time the bears succeed
in finding food on a deck or in a garbage can, that behavior
is rewarded.
Encouraging encounters between these wild animals and humans
for pictures or profit ultimately endangers the lives of the
people living amongst them and the bears themselves. If you
really want to save these bears, let them take care of themselves.
Denise Jausoro
Ketchikan, AK
About: South Tongass resident.
Received November 06, 2007
- Published November 07, 2007
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