One of the greatest threats to the American Black Bear (Ursus Americanus) is humans. While younger bears, between the ages of 1-2 years old, are more susceptible to accidental deaths, starvation, and predation; older bears almost never die from such natural causes. Unfortunately, nearly all adult bears die from human related causes. Some might be shot and killed (legally or illegally), others will be involved in vehicle incidents, and many will have to be humanely euthanized due to their habituation to humans and urbanized areas. The natural lifespan for a black bear is anywhere between 20-39 years old!
However, due to the stark reality of their mortality odds, many wildlife professionals don’t estimate bear lifespans exceeding 20 in the wild. The oldest documented wild bear to date was bear #56 of the Chippewa National Forest in Marcell, Minnesota. She lived to be 39.5 years old before passing away!
Sadly, these statistics don’t just keep to black bears, as brown bears are also susceptible to a high human-caused death rate. An estimated 75% of all grizzly bear deaths in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are attributed to human causes, most of these being due to food habituation, or bears finding themselves too comfortable around the public. Which again, unfortunately leads to the destruction of the animal all together. So, what can we do to prevent wild bears from reaching this seemingly inescapable fate of trouble with humans?
Well, securing all food attractants while living or recreating in bear country is oftentimes the first recommended and easiest course of action. After all, “a fed bear is a dead bear” has never rang truer. But it turns out that bears themselves are actually starting to adapt and find other recourses in response to urbanization and human encroachment as well. In a 2018 behavioral study, it was found that black bears in Minnesota recognized and perceived roadways as a potential danger and tried to react accordingly.
This doesn’t come as a huge surprise, as bears have long been known for their intelligence. Bears are even considered by many wildlife biologists and scientists to have an intelligence comparable to that of higher primates. This 2018 study found that black bears generally tried crossing high-traffic roads at night and low traffic roads in the daytime. This suggests that bears are successfully recognizing our movement patterns and anticipating the safer option for themselves and their cubs.
It was also found that black bears had increased heart rates and stress levels, not only when crossing a roadway, but also when they were within a half of a mile away from one. This suggests that traffic noise and smells trigger a bear’s awareness of danger and primes their body to react quickly.
So while we work on campaigns for safer wildlife crossings such as “Brake for Bears” and increased installation of wildlife corridors, bears are also doing their part. By learning to adapt to the changing world around them for better coexistence and longevity, bears may be taking this one into their own hands (paws).
