‘We humans are inept at taking care of baby animals’: why well-fed orphan bears die in the wild
A study reveals that orphaned grizzly bears raised by humans often struggle to survive in the wild due to overfeeding and a lack of natural fear toward humans. Researchers found that most rehabilitated bears died within a year of release.
Why it matters
Challenges the efficacy of current wildlife rehabilitation practices and highlights the unintended consequences of human intervention.
A tranquilised grizzly bear is prepared for release into the wild in British Columbia, Canada. Photograph: Alana Paterson/NYT/Eyevine A tranquilised grizzly bear is prepared for release into the wild in British Columbia, Canada. Photograph: Alana Paterson/NYT/Eyevine The age of extinction Animals ‘We humans are inept at taking care of baby animals’: why well-fed orphan bears die in the wild Scientists surprised to find all but two of 12 grizzlies were dead within a year of ‘feelgood’ release, unable to sustain their high-calorie diet and inclined to approach humans
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