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Black bears in the more heavily populated parts of the continental US aren't teddy bears, but they aren't slavering monsters, either. It's unusual for them to be aggressive toward people, and may of them will allow people to approach quite closely without becoming upset. Back when I lived in Pennsylvania I spent many a night stargazing in Black Moshannon State Park, and bears regularly visited the clearing while I and my fellow astronomy club members were there. They stayed at their end of the clearing, and we stayed in ours, and there were no problems. The biggest threat they posed to our safety was on the drive home, as a black bear on a black asphalt road on a moonless night is pretty hard to see.
We'll never know for sure that happened with that kid, but a three year old is pretty non-threatening. I can't see a black bear actively helping him, but I can see one tolerating his presence (particularly if the bear is rather somnolent).
I didn't claim that the bear would have made a meal out of the kid. I didn't claim that they are normally aggressive toward people.
Black bears generally don't consider humans prey. I see them on my property every morning during salmon season, so I'm quite aware that they aren't "slavering monsters." Nonetheless, just because they aren't looking at humans as fast food doesn't automatically translate to a sow cuddling with a human kid. Anyone who lives around bears knows how ridiculous this is, but hey, cartoons and Disney.
The kid was pretty bundled up, and according to LE, he kept moving during the time he was lost, which would explain why he didn't freeze to death.
If you read the entire article, it states they do not believe she was killed by the bears.
They? One friend of hers thought she probably starved to death because the bears ate all her food and the bear ate her after the fact. She had the ability to leave and get more food, so it makes little sense that she'd just sit there and starve to death.
Last edited by Metlakatla; 01-27-2019 at 01:43 PM..
The report doesn't say why the child left his grandmother's backyard in the first place. And one wonders if the other kids present have been interviewed about whether they noticed him leaving. There's a key part of the story missing. Why would a kid leave someone's backyard, and just wander off into the woods? I guess this is something some toddlers do, out of curiosity? IDK. And did anyone ask the child, how the "bear" managed to feed him, or what he ate for two days?
More info needed.
I read somewhere all the kids left the yard into the woods bu he didn't come back, who knows.
A child can go two days without food, sure hungry but it's not life threatening at that point.
Grandma happens to be great great grandma, so she has to be at least 80 leaving a twenty year span between generations.
My question is why is the family leaving 3 kids to be watched by an 80 year old?? One maybe but 3??
This story is just a tall tale that's been passed down through the generations combined with a tenuous mention in a historical manuscript that's over a century old (and was written a century after the incident supposedly happened). To call stuff like this a "true story" to increase interest and sell more books is irresponsible, especially with the increasing amount of people who seem to think that wild animals are part of their own personal petting zoos.
The guy who found the kid claimed that he was led to her whereabouts by a "vision" that came to him in the night, and that she was being guarded by a bear.
Nice fairy tale. They should make it into a Disney movie.
I think it could be true. I think animals recognize babies and especially if it’s a female, will care for them. It might explain why he didn’t die from the cold.
Did you form this opinion from watching cartoons? Because this isn't how nature works, especially with wild animals. Lost babies of any kind are far more likely to end up as dinner as they are to be adopted by another animal, particularly one from another species.
LE in the area said the kid kept moving for most of the time he was out there — which explains why he didn't die from the cold. Lack of sleep explains the bear hallucination.
Maybe the kid found a bear den and crawled in? The bear would probably be too sleepy to care, and the protection from the weather afforded by the den would help keep the kid from freezing to death.
It's obvious that many opinionated posters here have no clue on Black Bear behaviours during "Hibernation Periods"~~ especially female bears who give birth during that time.
All one needs to do is watch those "DEN CAMS" to realize that momma bears are very active with birthing, maintaining warmth for cubs ( who are born without any fur) during them ( we called it cubs "Milk Bar" when cubs got to pick their go to nipple for nutrition! I also observed momma bear swat and correct cubs IF they mis-behaved and monitored their tendency to explore outside of den once more mobile. Hibernation of any new mom who births cubs is NOT a "Sleepy 2-3 month time out so many assume!
Only thing is~~ Yes she loses weight/ eats snow to maintain hydration.. but never ventures far outside of den. Momma bears also respond to child /baby cry .. as IF watching Den cams, you would hear clearly.. The Crying sound similar to human cry of youngsters!!
BTW~~ Black bears are "Herbivores" Not "Carnivores"~~
Bottomline for me is SOMETHING in the wild INTERVENED to save this 3 year old child from freezing to death~~ THAT should not be dispelled/dismissed one iota by saying it's nothing but a "Disney Plot" !! Wild Life/Animals aren't the enemies ..Human's often cause far more damages than any animal the wild!!
A few links to mother bears giving birth during "Hibernation Periods" May assist in learning something about activity of these bears!!
The noise chittering you will hear below.. means the CUBS FOR nursing @ their "Milk Bar"!! Plus you will see venturing cubs checking out the entrance of the den~~ So momma never has a dull moment after she gives birth!! Bless their hearts!! https://youtu.be/ErzK3i0YkK4
Bottomline for me is SOMETHING in the wild INTERVENED to save this 3 year old child from freezing to death~~ THAT should not be dispelled/dismissed one iota by saying it's nothing but a "Disney Plot" !! Wild Life/Animals aren't the enemies ..Human's often cause far more damages than any animal the wild!!
Like I already said a couple of times in this thread, the authorities have stated that the child kept moving for most of the time he was missing, which explains why he didn't freeze to death. The temperatures were in the 20s and 30s at some point during the nights (warm enough to stay alive in if you keep moving) he was missing but rose to well above freezing during the day. We're going to have to disagree that "something from the wild intervened." ETA no one said that "wild animals are the enemy" — just that they're wild animals that tend not to act in the ways they're portrayed in cartoons and Disney movies.
And yes, black bears usually have their cubs in Jan/Feb, which makes it even more unlikely that a mother bear came to protect the child. If there are bears in that particular area, the kid's lucky he didn't come too close to a den. Even if the mother hadn't or wasn't about to give birth, she'd still have her yearlings with her.
Quote:
BTW~~ Black bears are "Herbivores" Not "Carnivores"
If anyone said otherwise, I must have missed it. Nonetheless, a hungry bear — such as one that's out during the middle of winter in areas where they normally spend the majority the time in their dens — may be more likely to kill for food because their usual herbaceous forage isn't available.
Last edited by Metlakatla; 01-27-2019 at 04:35 PM..
It was the child's Aunt who made the FB post and commented about the bear. Could she have been making it up?
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