Lesson 7:Black Bears

Bears and People
Bears eat all kinds of food. Unfortunately,
that includes the foods people eat. When bears
get used to getting food from people, it means
big trouble for the bears.
People have hunted and killed bears for
hundreds of years. Sometimes farmers kill bears
that eat crops or kill farm animals. Other times,
people hunt bears for sport or simply out of fear.
Years ago, black bears were completely wiped
out in many places.
Today, more and more people have moved
into bear country. People have built houses in
the woods. Campers have shouldered backpacks
full of food and hiked into the wilderness. Bears
quickly sniff out people’s garbage, pet food, and
even birdfeeders. Once a bear sees people as a
food source, it will return again and again.
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