Bear witness to this wildlife cam video of a summer's night dip

Bear at Kartchner Caverns

🐻 Wildlife Wednesday 🐻 Remember the bear we caught on video from last summer? Well, it's back! We were able to confirm by comparing the eyes and scratches on the face. The black bear is the only bear species found in Arizona. They are known to roam an area of 7 to 15 square miles. Black bears in this part of the country can weigh up to 125 - 400 pounds with males being larger than females. They are capable of living up to 25 years old in the wild, making them very long lived animals. Within the state, their diet primarily consists of acorns, berries, insects, and cactus fruits. They use thier incredible sense of smell to seek out this food. It is estimated that black bears can smell food from 1 to 20 miles away according to the National Park Service. If you are camping in bear country you should properly store your food and scented items in a bear canister. Not to worry: our wildlife cam is in a remote area of the park and is not near the campground or areas with visitor traffic. It is rare for Kartchner Caverns State Park to see a bear but we are located in a zone between the Sky Island Mountains (Whetstone Mountains) and the basin of the valley floor (San Pedro River) making it an interesting zone for wildlife and the occasional sighting of a bear, such as this one. Occasionally, human and bear conflicts occur. Be aware if you live in bear country or are visiting an area that has bear sightings. According to Arizona Game and Fish this is what you should do if you see a bear. If you encounter a black bear: ● Alter your route to avoid a bear in the distance. ● If the bear approaches, make yourself as large and imposing as possible. Stand upright and wave your arms, jacket or other items. Make loud noises, such as yelling, whistles, and banging pots and pans. ● Do not run and never play dead. ● Give the bear a chance to leave the area. ● If the bear does not leave, stay calm, continue facing it, and slowly back away to a place of safety (home, vehicle) if available. ● If a bear is in your yard, scare it away from inside the house, keeping the door closed. For more information, visit the Living with Wildlife section on our website (https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/livingwith/).

Posted by Kartchner Caverns State Park on Wednesday, June 26, 2024