This week I would like to introduce
you all to a friend of mine. I have come know this inquisitive caniform all too
well over the past few months as I have endeavored to systematically record wildlife
activity out on the ranch using motion-sensing cameras. The term “friend” might
be generous in this case given that I have never actually met this individual and
that she (I am not sure of her gender, although I have always considered her a
she and will continue to do so in this post) has been actively thwarting my
attempts at establishing a consistent grid of survey cameras throughout the
most ecologically diverse areas of Tejon. This small, unusual looking black
bear is responsible for the early termination of at least four of my cameras
(that I know of!) and has come to represent a veritable Angel of Death for any
survey camera unlucky enough to lay in her path. The last camera she claimed
was ripped from its housing less than three hours after I installed it. She
appeared in the first, last, and only video recorded.
However, for all her mischief she
is a very endearing creature. Her white chest and belly contrast a dark overcoat
giving her a striking appearance very unusual for a black bear, while her keen
interest in my cameras and her frustrating ability to dismantle them suggests a
curiosity and dexterity beyond that of her brethren in the area. Black bears
have an advanced sense of smell which we believe is attracting them to my
cameras. Bears are my biggest obstacle in establishing a reliable network of
survey cameras, but this young bear has distinguished herself as the survey’s
primary insurgent.
In retrospect, the absurd thing
is my assumption that somehow by painting green leaves on the awkward plastic
casing, we were camouflaging the conspicuous mechanical device I had
been hiking around in my sweaty backpack all day from wild animals
hypersensitive to every nuance of environment they survive in every day. Once again, the
wilds of Tejon have served me up a generous serving of humble pie.
Here she is multitasking with a pig carcass, there's nothing like a good scratch and snack...
This is a good shot of our bear gathering her strength before an afternoon of survey disruption
...doing what she does best!
