Several letters and stories in the Herald have addressed the dire problems that result when bears become acclimated to scrounging food and garbage that are not handled properly. A few established points about black bear behavior should suffice to highlight the need for every conceivable preventive measure in black bear range. First, black bears are very dangerous. Specifically, a black bear definitely means to kill when it charges.

Hence, the standard rule of conduct for responding to a black bear attack: Fight for your life. As one example of what I’m getting at, about eight years ago, on Vancouver Island, a black bear charged and, in less than 15 minutes, killed five hikers. The bear weighed only 250 pounds. In addition, in Appalachia, I’ve seen here and there signs documenting the results of black bear attacks. In each case, the bear killed an entire group of people.

Second, if all relative statistical factors are weighed, black bears eat far more people than do grizzly bears. Any mammal biologist would not hesitate to agree the black bear (Ursus americanus) deserves the term horribilus every bit as much as does the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilus).

If we take to heart how lethal a black bear can be, we have no excuse whatsoever for being careless in areas that these bears use. That is, zero tolerance for blunders that would put us and others at risk. Then, another point entirely: Black bears are wild omnivores. For one of these magnificent animals to be killed because of foolish conduct by people is unconscionable.

To avoid conflicts between bears and humans and to protect these wild mammals, we need to thoroughly examine how we act out of doors to the point where we ensure every aspect of our conduct becomes preventative.

Tom Wright

Aztec