Bear Relocated to Thief Lake Sanctuary

by Laurel Latham

Warming temperatures led to the premature arousal of a hibernating bear a mile west of Wannaska late last week. "It's common for hibernating bears to wake up a time or two during winter months," explained Conservation Officer, Ben Huener. "Normally a bear will hibernate in the woods, but in this case he hibernated in a culvert where melting snow woke him up."

Bears generally emerge from hibernation between March and April, with male bears emerging earlier than female bears who stay with cubs. When bears do come out of hibernation, they are groggy and in a state of walking hibe...