Artificial Dens for Orphan Cubs

Twenty-five orphaned black bear cubs will be placed in artificial dens during the next two weeks in groups of two or three without mother bears.

The idea has never been tried before in New Mexico, said Rich Beausoleil, a biologist with the state Game and Fish Department. But he said it is an effective management technique and will provide valuable information to states dealing with the problem of orphan cubs.

Orphan bears have been placed in dens with hibernating female bears in the past and have been adopted by the mother bears the next spring. But this year was a rough year for New Mexico’s bears because of a low food supply caused by drought, leaving more cubs than usual in need of a second chance.

New Mexico saw hundreds of encounters between humans and bears this year, with bears breaking into homes, scratching campers and foraging through orchards and garbage cans. In August, a bear attacked and killed an elderly Mora County woman in her home.

Seven of the 25 orphan cubs will be placed in dens in the Carson National Forest of northern New Mexico and the rest will be placed in the Gila National Forest of southwestern New Mexico.