Black Bears of 2013: Release Day #1

On January 24, the first of several Black Bear releases began. Five bears in transition area #2 were successfully darted and anesthetized by Wildlife Center staff and DGIF biologists. Circular ear tags were placed in both ears of each bear, and the bears were scanned for microchips. Bears #13-0425, #13-1266, #13-1044, #13-0469, and an un-scannable female were loaded into a large bear trap. The veterinary team provided the bears with a reversal medication before the doors were locked and the trap was loaded onto the DGIF truck. The bears should be totally awake by the time they reach the release site.

The six bears in transition area #1 will remain in that area of the bear complex throughout the weekend, in preparation for next week’s releases. The biologist who will be taking four of these larger bears will scope out the remote release site on Monday, to ensure he is able to access the site in the snow.

The rehabilitation team will attempt to shift two or three bears in yard #2 into transition area #2 this weekend. If successful, the bears will go in Monday’s release group, along with one or two smaller bears from transition area #1.

Black Bear Release #1: January 24, 2014


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