2 adult bears, cub killed on highways

Two adult lactating female black bears and a yearling, possibly the cub of one of the adults, have died between Calumet and Centerville in the last two months.
Maria Davidson, Wildlife and Fisheries Large Carnivore Program manager, said six to eight weeks ago an adult female was killed in the area on U.S. 90 that a 50 pound female was found dead today.
“Was it the yearling from the female we picked up six to eight weeks ago? At some point DNA will tell us that,” Davidson said.
Catherine Siracusa, St. Mary Parish black bear conflict officer, said another adult lactating female was killed on La. 182 in the same vicinity also within the last two months. Her yearling cub was trapped because it was starting to forage in garbage for food.
Davidson said bears are typically active through November and into December as they are gaining weight in preparation for winter food shortages. This is the time when bear populations in the parish typically are attempting to branch out in their ranges and are crossing highways where they are stuck by vehicles.
There is no good average number of how many bears are typically hit by cars in the state because in any given year that can range from 55 to around 20 depending on the quality of the natural food sources such as acorns each year, Davidson said.
Siracusa said the natural food source is plentiful this year in the area.
“They’re just on the move trying to get the last bit taken care of and get ready to bed down,” Siracusa said.
Davidson and Siracusa said the parish has bear crossing signs installed where bears are most likely to attempt to cross busy highways.
“That’s why the road signs are there … it’s where we have these issues,” Siracusa said.
Motorists are urged to be aware of bear activity at this time of year and to slow down, especially in the dark or areas of low visibility.
“Bears are black, and they can be difficult to see,” Davidson said.
When the Louisiana Black Bear was listed as threatened in 1992 under the Endangered Species Act, there were estimated to be fewer than 300 of them left in the world. Today, innovative programs to re-establish these animals and restore their habitat through improved land management, high tech monitoring and public education are enabling the recovery.
The bear population in the state primarily exists in coastal St. Mary and Iberia parishes with another group in Pointe Coupee Parish.