New Mexico bear center treats 17 animals in its busiest season since 2017
Drought and food shortages drove bears into populated areas, overwhelming the state's sole rehabilitation facility.
By Emmanuel Faure ·
The Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation in Santa Cruz, New Mexico, cared for 17 bears during the summer. This total marks the facility's busiest period in nearly ten years. The center is the only bear rehabilitation program in the state.
A shortage of water and food forced bears out of their natural habitats. Many animals ended up in neighborhoods, backyards, and near dumpsters. By mid-August, the foundation had 15 bears in its care. The final count rose to 17 as additional animals arrived from across the state.
Nirankar Horak of the foundation noted that most of the cubs admitted were smaller than expected. He observed that the animals arrived in poor physical condition. “A lot of the cubs that we’ve been bringing in, even a couple that had been with mother up until them coming in, they were still on the smaller side,” Horak said. “So we’re seeing really thin bears this year.”
One specific patient, a bear named Sunflower, arrived from the Mescalero Apache Reservation in June. The animal weighed 22 pounds upon arrival. Horak described the bear as emaciated. “So emaciated, so starving, that it was bone and some skin,” Horak said. “You know, a lot of the muscle was gone.”
The New Mexico Game and Fish Department helped release Sunflower last week. At the time of release, the bear weighed 132 pounds. Horak stated that each bear presents unique challenges. The primary goals for all patients are increased weight and minimal human contact. “Keeping them in the wild is ultimately the best thing we can do,” Horak said. “And so, if we can takes steps to helping them stay in the wild. It’s much better for them.”
Caretakers expect the cubs currently at the center to remain in Santa Cruz until spring. The animals will stay until they are heavy enough to survive independently. Bears consume approximately 20,000 calories per day during this season. Staff advise residents to keep trash, pet food, and bird feeders out of reach to reduce attraction for wild bears.
Source: KOB
