kentucky black bear population

(AP) — A black bear that's been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River, state wildlife officials say. Although Maehr and his team have only tagged a dozen or so bears in the past year, they’ve been able to document around 20 in the area. “Hopefully our research will help the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manage that situation as it develops,” he added. > “So far it’s very encouraging. Naturally, black bears avoid human contact, but exposure to concentrated food sources as a result of human byproducts can foster changed behaviors and increased tolerance of human-bear interactions and conflicts. In the U.S., the grizzly bear can be found in Alaska, Montana, Washington, Wyoming, and a few in Idaho. However, their population was greatly reduced when they started losing habitats due to humans moving in. The survey study analyzes respondents’ basic knowledge of black bear population management, their general perception of the species, and personal encounters or experiences. “The collars allow us to track the bears on the ground and from aircraft to figure out where they are going and what kinds of habitats they prefer,” he said. David Maehr, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture conservation biologist, said the bears were gone by 1850 after being wiped out by habitat alteration, direct persecution and hunting. Historically, in Kentucky, bear populations were close to nonexistent during the early 1900’s, but populations in the state have significantly increased in recent decades. It will be interesting to see how the population responds over the years.”. “This is really not the kind of animal you study in a year or two,” he said. Missouri might even institute a bear hunt this October. Home Home | Accessibility Statement, University Presentation Showcase Poster Gallery, University Presentation Showcase: Graduate Poster Gallery, Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors. “The recolonization of a large carnivore represents a trend in wildlife like elk, bobcat and white tailed deer repopulating the same area. Bear sightings are being reported in the news more and more frequently as the bear population returns to Kentucky. That means all Missouri residents should be prepared to come into contact with bears, especially while hiking or on vacation in southern parts of the state. Multiple reports of Lexington bear sightings have been backed up by a video that appears to show one on campus at the University of Kentucky. SWPS_GRADUATEGALLERY Bell, Eastern Kentucky UniversityFollow. Digital Media Library, July 23, 2003 About | | By: The population of grizzly bears in North America is around 55,000 with 31,000 of those in Alaska alone. Black bears are the most abundant species of bear and can be found widespread throughout the world. For more than 150 years the American black bear virtually ignored Kentucky’s lush forests. After graduation he will stay on with the department as a post-doctoral student in biodiversity. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all Hast said that in 2006, Fish and Wildlife began documenting reproduction of bears on Pine Mountain in Letcher County, and now there are are 450 or so in two core groups — one in Bell, Harlan and Letcher counties and the other in McCreary and Wayne counties. Once abundant in Kentucky, Ursus americanus (American Black Bear) were extirpated from the state by the late 19 th century because of overharvest and habitat alteration. Abstract. Recently though, the bears have been venturing back into the state and taking up residence.David Maehr, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture conservation biologist, said the bears were gone by 1850 after being wiped out by habitat alteration, direct persecution and UTICA, Ind. > Historically, in Kentucky, bear populations were close to nonexistent during the early 1900’s, but populations in the state have significantly increased in recent decades. Kentucky announced their expanded bear hunting program in 2017. Forestry doctoral student John Cox is helping with the bear project while he works on his dissertation. For our research, we’re trying to figure out how many there are, where they are going and what landscape features are important to them.”. Maehr agrees that more black bears in Kentucky would be positive for the habitat and for the economy. Harlan County is a county located in southeastern Kentucky.As of the 2010 census, the population was 29,278. Black bears in Kentucky are not unheard of. “They are getting to witness one of the most beautiful parts of North America and having a chance to see a black bear in its natural habitat. According to Hast, an uptick in bear sightings is actually pretty normal this time of year. Access to human byproducts cause nuisance behavior in black bears that can cause problems and safety concerns in public areas, neighborhoods, and/or businesses. Maehr is now in the second year of a project funded by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Figure 1.1: Kentucky counties with the highest number of black bear nuisance and observation reports (KDFWR, unpublished data) used to delineate core bear range within the state (1987-2010). Local residents have to learn how to get along with the new animal. In Kentucky, the return of black bears over the last 20 years is proving to be a true wildlife success story. For more than 150 years the American black bear virtually ignored Kentucky’s lush forests. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Report bear sightings in Kentucky to the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources at 1-800-858-1549. University Presentation Showcase Poster Gallery Extension   /   Kentucky counties with the highest number of black bear nuisance and observation reports (KDFWR, unpublished data) used to delineate core bear range within the state (1987-2010). Value for Kentucky (Percent): 8.4%. In this issue of Kentucky Woodlands Magazine, we discuss the importance of sustainable management and long-term strategic planning of your own woodland so that it too can endure the uncertainties that lie ahead. Conferences and Events The black bear population in Kentucky has grown in the last 30 years, especially in coal counties in Appalachia. You are in luck! (AP) — Indiana wildlife officials say a black bear that’s been spotted in northern Kentucky may venture into Indiana by taking a swim across the Ohio River. > Maehr is encouraged by the growing black bear population for many reasons, but a point he emphasized is that black bears returning to Kentucky are an indicator of a healthy landscape. Recent sightings of young black bears in Central Kentucky and the latest in Southern Indiana are a good sign for the health of the animal's population, a Kentucky Department of Fish & … As Missouri’s black bear population continues to grow at a rate of 9% annually, bear sightings are more likely — even in major cities like Kansas City and St. Louis. “We’re witnessing a phenomenon in and around Kingdom Come State Park,” he said. About 21.9% of families and 26.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 35.3% of those under age 18 and 18.8% of those age 65 or over. Last year, five of the females produced cubs and cubs are the real key to the future of the population.”. “A lot of these students are in the woods for the first time in their lives,” he said. He and his assistants have captured approximately 15 bears in the past year and fitted them with radio collars to track their movement and interactions with other black bears and even human habitation. Its county seat is Harlan.. With regard to the sale of alcohol, it is classified as a moist county—a county in which alcohol sales are prohibited (a dry county), but containing a "wet" city, in this case Cumberland, where package alcohol sales are allowed. In 2011 Kentucky’s bear population was estimated to number about 500. 3 talking about this. A critical part of enduring change is adaptive planning and having the resources available to conduct practices. Scholars Week He’s interested in the recolonization as well and said it will bring many opportunities to the area. The project is churning up more interest than just research. That helps with tourism but brings problems such as bears raiding trash cans. 2 talking about this. Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (PEP). The reintroduced bears started with a small founding population of 18 bears in 1998 and grew to about 38 bears in Kentucky and 190 bears in Tennessee, suggesting that this method of reintroduction was successful at establishing a resident population. Approximately 21,000 are in Canada and anywhere from 1200-1500 in the lower 48 states. Records of Black Bears in Kentucky. Currently, black bears are the most abundant and widespread of all eight bear species in the world. Data item: Black or African American alone, percent. 267Source: David Maehr 859-257-4807, Laura SkillmanAgricultural Communications Services Director131-A Scovell HallLexington, KY 40546-0064859-323-4761lskillma@email.uky.edu, Students   /   “One of the most interesting parts of this study is that the bears are moving into an area that is already developed to some extent and occupied by humans,” he said. Since 1980, the Black immigrant population has increased fivefold. > UTICA, Ind. They’ll go back and write about their experience and maybe even get published.”. > Many people make up the team that is researching the black bears, including doctoral students Hannah Harris, David Unger and lead field technician Michael Orlando who is working toward a master’s degree in forestry. KY 15 The highway goes north to Campton and the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway and south to Hazard and the Hal Rogers Parkway. Regenerating deciduous forests, increased human tolerance, and source population growth and expansion in neighboring states have facilitated Black Bear recolonization in parts of southeastern Kentucky since the 1980s. “Hopefully there will be enough interest in funding over the next decade that we can study it that long. The purpose of this research study is to analyze perceptions of Kentucky locals/residents, throughout the Daniel Boone National Forest, on various government agencies’ management of black bear population and habitats, as well as the facilitation of educational outreach from said agencies. In 10 years we’ll probably have a really good idea where this population is going.”, Writer: Aimee D. Heald 859-257-4736, ext. Research   /   To evaluate long-term reintroduction success and current status of a recently reintroduced, small black bear (Ursus americanus) population in the Big South Fork area of Kentucky, I used non-invasive hair sampling in a systematic, closedpopulation capture-mark-recapture study design. “It’s different from anywhere in the country right now.”. UK Police received a call about the bear … The UK English department has a summer project called Summer Environmental Writing Program where students write about a summer experience. “We should recognize that natural qualities and pristine landscapes are economically beneficial to the Commonwealth.”. “The black bear has begun to recolonize here. 40 Kentucky bears were harvested in 2017. Philanthropy & Alumni Departments & Units   /   He said, though, with a rise in bear numbers also comes human responsibility. The Black-only population is 13.4%. 50, Kentucky Resident Perceptions of Black Bear Population Management in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Megan B. Several years ago, black bears moved into New Jersey from Pennsylvania and Maehr said the population there is doing well. According to the 2018 United States Census estimates, the United States population is approximately 14.6% Black or African American, which equals 47.8 million people. As numbers continue to rise, the range of black bears continues to expand across the state. “More black bears in Kentucky would reflect very well on Kentucky’s growing appreciation of nature,” he said. Fish and Wildlife said that while it is illegal to feed bears in Kentucky, areas around Pine and Black Mountains in eastern Kentucky have seen an increase in bear feeding. My Account | As numbers continue to rise, the range of black bears continues to expand across the state.
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