Cross-species spread of bird flu is raising concerns from bear management

April 13, 2023

Asa Thomas Metcalfe

Bear and Mountain Lion specialist, Erik Wenum gives a presentation on bears in the Condon area for the annual Bear Wake Up Social on April 5. A large part of the presentation was dedicated to the rising concern of bird flu in the bear population.

CONDON- April 5 brought snow showers, but despite the reluctance of spring to come around the Swan Valley Connections hosted their annual Spring Bear Wake Up Social- a potluck and presentation on the local bear population.

Birdfeeders, outdoor pet shelters, gardens, and livestock can all attract the attention of a bear as it passes through, but in recent years the main concern for bear management has become chicken coops.

"Chickens are the new trash," has become a kind of catch-phrase for the local bear management groups but they credit Missoula area Bear Management Specialist, Jamie Jonk...

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