Mike Hook, who is the large carnivore biologist with the LA Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said his department picked up the body of the 13-14-year-old bear after a report to the Madison Parish Sheriff's Department.
"It was a marked bear that had been caught about 14 years ago," he said. "It was partially decomposed, bu the person who picked it us said he was guessing it weighted up to 500 pounds."
This kind of road hill is common for this time of year based on two events, Hook said.
"Mothers that have yearling bears are weaning their bears and sending them on their own," he said. "Females tend to stay close to their mothers. The young males go everywhere. They are the equivalent of a 13-year-old boy. They wander off.
"The second," Hook said, "is that it's breeding season. The big males are doing the same thing, but they have a purpose in life - they're breeding. Most of these road kills are males, usually adult males."
Last year, Hook estimated nearly 30 black bears were killed by vehicles. So far, he is aware of three, including the carcass near Tallulah and two in south Louisiana.
"You never know where a bear will get hit," he said. "More often than not, there are no accidents reports."
The bears' skulls are preserved for study. Hook said.
Black bears, omnivorous animals, are listed as endangered in Louisiana and Mississippi, and it is illegal to harm them.
In Warren County, a Louisiana black bear was spotted on Davis Island in the Mississippi River earlier this spring. Brad Young, Black Bear Program leader for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, has said the black bear population is rising.
About 120 live in the state, up from about 50 in 2002. ~The Vicksburg Post
It is good to read that the bear population continues to grow even with the misfortune of so many becoming a road casualty.
ReplyDeleteMe too CDGardens...I've never seen a bear in the wild but only crossings for bear south of town.
ReplyDeleteAbout a month ago, a 600 pound bear was found dead in the panhandle of FL....it was a biggun!
ReplyDeleteInteresting post Marian! I had no idea the black bear was endangered in those states.. Here in NH as a cop we have about three or four road kills of bear and moose each year in the City. Forty years ago, black bear were protected here and rare. Now they are everywhere, and we have a lengthy hunting season for them...
ReplyDeleteIt's sad to hear about bears that are found dead...that is a big one Ian!
ReplyDeleteYes, Jack they are endangered here in MS and LA. It seems like we learn something new everyday. Good to know that you can hunt them in NH. Good Luck on your bear harvest!