Category: Sarcoptic Mange

Mixed Feelings

Great to see a bear cub again. This is not the one that was seen today though. This picture is from a couple years ago. The one on our lane today was too quick, or perhaps too shy to have its picture taken. But at least a bear is back!

Before today, the last Black Bear sighting was 14 months ago. Late April 2021. The bear that showed up on that day was suffering from sarcoptic mange. It showed up nearly naked, just skin and bones. It made its appearance and disappeared just as quickly as today’s cub. Previous visits were once every couple weeks. The mange though seems to have decimated the bear population in this local area. But it looks like they are recovering.

It’s good to have the cub come through looking happy and health. Mighty good. Now watch out for the bird feeders!

Where Are My Bears?

Labor Day Weekend is just days away. Considered by many to be the end of summer. But there has been something lacking in my summer here in the mountains. Bears.

They arrive all set to eat all the apples out of the apple tree or the all the cherries out of the cherry tree. Breaking branches as they climb. I quickly get a few photos then chase them away. Waving my arms wildly and screaming at them. We have a thing going. They go away till the next time.

Early this spring a bear did show up. A dear, pathetic bear, badly suffering with sarcoptic mange. He looked miserable. Skin and bones, very little fur. I called wildlife officials and reported the sighting and was asked to call again if the bear returned. It did not return.

Since then there have been no bears. Extremely unusual. They always come into the yard and climb the apple tree, and the cherry tree.

I have mixed feelings about their arrival. They shouldn’t be here in the yard. Near humans. I always make them realize that they are not welcome. They have all the rest of the mountain to roam. But they always return. I get my photos and chase them away. Again and again. But not this year.

I assume the lack of bears is due to this mange. It causes hair loss, emaciation, loss of vision, and death. I see very little about the mange and black bears in the news. Just a slight mention here or there. Nothing to indicate my lack of bears. Just my assumption. I miss my bears. I hope I’m wrong about the mange.