‘Bear Appearances’ Ahead of Schedule? Expert: Climate Warming Causes Early Awakening
According to foreign media reports, under the global trend of climate warming, countries such as Russia, Canada, and the United States have already staged 'bear appearances' ahead of schedule. Normally, this time bears are still in hibernation, snoring soundly.
British wildlife expert Alan Wright said, 'This is not good news for humans and bears.'
What impact does this have on bears?
Europe has just experienced the warmest winter in its history. The average temperatures in the US in December 2019 and January 2020 were also above normal. So, bears around the world are waking up from hibernation earlier than usual.'
Wright said this situation may lead to food shortages for bears. 'When they wake up, the bears start to forage, but they find that there is not much to eat. Many plants have not started to grow, and small animals have not yet appeared.'
Photo: A black bear appeared beside a highway in California, and then entered the city. Finally, wildlife protection staff successfully subdued the black bear.
What impact does this have on people?
On the other hand, this is not good news for people, because it may increase interactions between bears and humans. 'Normally, bears prefer to stay in their own territories and don't want to interact with people.'
But hunger will inevitably force bears to go further and further away to find food.
'Bears will go to where people store food, with a very clear purpose: to find food!'
Wright said this happens only when bears are 'extremely desperate'—either because they are starving or because they must find food for their babies.
In 2019, a region in Russia declared a state of emergency because dozens of polar bears invaded residential areas to look for food and attacked humans.
In normal years, bear mothers with babies usually won't 'come out of hibernation' until late April.
If you encounter a bear, Wright advises, try to avoid it and immediately contact the relevant authorities.
The US National Park Service recommends that when venturing into the wild, you should carry bear spray and remain calm if you encounter a bear.
Wright said, 'Bears generally don't attack people unless a person becomes an obstacle for the bear.'
