Wildlife crews and police officers responded to a Provo neighborhood after reports of a young bear wandering through residential backyards, according to the Provo Police Department. According to department spokesperson Janna-Lee Holland, the bear was spotted on Wednesday in a backyard just north of Splash Summit Waterpark, triggering city notifications to nearby residents.
Recent Bear Sightings Across Utah
According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Provo incident marks the third verified bear sighting in the Beehive State over a three-week span. On August 4, a resident checking sprinklers spotted a mama bear and two cubs high in a tree in Mapleton, located about 10 miles from Provo. Earlier, on July 28, a bear wandered inside Ephraim city limits before wildlife officials safely tranquilized and relocated it.
Drought Impacts Bear Food Sources
According to wildlife officials, severe drought conditions across Utah have significantly reduced natural food availability, driving bears closer to populated areas in search of meals. Approximately 90 percent of a black bear’s diet consists of plants and other vegetation, which have become scarce due to dry weather patterns. Biologists warn that if these drought conditions persist, bears will increasingly target garbage, unsecured campground food, and other human-provided sources.
Did you know? Roughly 90 percent of a black bear’s diet is made up of plants and vegetation, according to state wildlife biologists.
Search and Wildlife Response Efforts
According to police and wildlife reports, officers from the Provo Police Department and crews from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources searched the neighborhood for a couple of hours following the Wednesday sighting. One local resident stated that animal control officers instructed her to take her children inside during the active search. Authorities were ultimately unable to locate the animal and concluded it likely returned up the mountain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I see a bear in my neighborhood?
According to wildlife officials, residents should immediately take children and pets indoors, give the bear plenty of space to leave on its own, and contact local police or the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Why are bears wandering into Utah cities more often?
According to biologists, ongoing drought conditions have depleted natural vegetation—which makes up 90% of a black bear’s diet—forcing the animals to search populated areas for alternative food sources like garbage.
How many bear sightings have occurred recently in Utah?
State officials reported three distinct bear sightings across a three-week period, including incidents in Provo, Mapleton, and Ephraim.
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