Marathon Runner Attacked & Hospitalized By Black Bear During Race in New Mexico:

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Black bear and cubs.
American lack bear and cubs.

Participant in Running Event on Valles Caldera National Preserve Attacked by Black Bear

by Valles Caldera National Preserve

June 20th, 2016

JEMEZ SPRINGS, NM: On Saturday, June 18, 2016 in midafternoon, a participant in a permitted running event on Valles Caldera National Preserve was attacked by a female American black bear when the individual came upon the bear’s cubs along a backcountry road being used as the event route. The incident occurred in the southwest corner of the preserve, known as Banco Bonito, approximately seven miles away from the Valle Grande. The runner was part of a marathon event being conducted on the preserve under a special use permit. The individual was found by another runner, and aid was dispatched to their location. The injured runner was evacuated by medical helicopter and taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque for treatment, and is expected to recover from the injuries. Pursuant to New Mexico State law, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) dispatched officers to the area to conduct an investigation and attempt to locate the bear and euthanize it in order to test for rabies. Questions and concerns regarding NMDGF operations can be expressed by calling: 1-888-248-6866.

“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the individual during their recovery from the injuries,” said Jorge Silva-Bañuelos, superintendent of Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Black bear attacks on humans are very rare.  Fatalities from black bear attacks are even more rare.

Very few black bear attacks in North America since 1909.
Very few black bear attacks in North America since 1909.

BASIC FACTS ABOUT BLACK BEARS

by Defenders.org

The American black bear is the smallest of the three bears species found in North America, and are found only in North America. Black bears have short, non-retractable claws that give them an excellent tree-climbing ability.

Black bear fur is usually a uniform color except for a brown muzzle and light markings that sometimes appear on their chests. Eastern populations are usually black in color while western populations often show brown, cinnamon, and blond coloration in addition to black. Black bears with white-bluish fur are known as Kermode (glacier) bears and these unique color phases are only found in coastal British Columbia, Canada.

Diet

American black bears are omnivorous: plants, fruits, nuts, insects, honey, salmon, small mammals and carrion. In northern regions, they eat spawning salmon.
Black bears will also occasionally kill young deer or moose calves.

Population

It is estimated that there are at least 600,000 black bears in North America. In the United States, there are estimated to be over 300,000 individuals. However, the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolu) and Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) are unique subspecies with small populations. The Louisiana black bear is federally listed as a threatened species and the Florida black bear is estimated to number 3,000.

Range

The American black bear is distributed throughout North America, from Canada to Mexico and in at least 40 states in the U.S. They historically occupied nearly all of the forested regions of North America, but in the U.S. they are now restricted to the forested areas less densely occupied by humans. In Canada, black bears still inhabit most of their historic range except for the intensively farmed areas of the central plains. In Mexico, black bears were thought to have inhabited the mountainous regions of the northern states but are now limited to a few remnant populations.

Behavior

Black bears are extremely adaptable and show a great variation in habitat types, though they are primarily found in forested areas with thick ground vegetation and an abundance of fruits, nuts, and vegetation. In the northern areas, they can be found in the tundra, and they will sometimes forage in fields or meadows.

Black bears tend to be solitary animals, with the exception of mothers and cubs. The bears usually forage alone, but will tolerate each other and forage in groups if there is an abundance of food in one area.

Most black bears hibernate depending on local weather conditions and availability of food during the winter months. In regions where there is a consistent food supply and warmer weather throughout the winter, bears may not hibernate at all or do so for a very brief time. Females give birth and usually remain denned throughout the winter, but males and females without young may leave their dens from time to time during winter months.

Reproduction

Mating Season: Summer.
Gestation: 63-70 days.
Litter Size: 1-6 cubs; 2 cubs are most common.
Cubs remain with the mother for a year and a half or more, even though they are weaned at 6-8 months of age. Females only reproduce every second year (or more). Should the young die for some reason, the female may reproduce again after only one year.


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2 thoughts on “Marathon Runner Attacked & Hospitalized By Black Bear During Race in New Mexico:

  1. Kill the BEAR??? That sounds like a very human thing to do. We go into a creatures house, mess with their kids and when they fearfully protect their little one…. he F!@#ing kill it. VERY SAD that we can’t think through these problems.

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