Black Bears Roam Backyards, Towns Across US, Kazakhstan Amid Food Shortages

Black bear sightings and encounters have been reported across various parts of North America recently, highlighting both the animals' adaptability and the challenges they pose to human communities. In Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains, a rare sighting of a mama black bear with four cubs was shared on social media, illustrating the difficulty of managing large litters, which are uncommon in black bears. Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, wildlife officials safely captured a 175-pound bear that had been roaming residential backyards, emphasizing the need for residents to secure attractants like bird feeders and trash. Mid-Missouri has also seen increased black bear activity as the population grows and younger bears explore new territories. Similarly, in Okotoks, Canada, a bear has been lingering in residential areas, prompting town officials to warn residents to stay cautious and report sightings. Additionally, in East Kazakhstan, bears have been moving into populated areas due to poor food availability in forests caused by spring frosts, raising concerns about their survival and potential early emergence from hibernation.