By now you’ve probably figured out that black bears are my totem, my company logo, my spirit animal, my favorite subject to photograph, just a real joy for me to be around.  Not that I don’t love other critters. I do. I’m not just a fan..I’m in awe of our environment. But, we all have our favorites when it comes to nature. We are dog lovers, cat people, tree huggers and ocean protectors. Some of us just can’t stay away from snakes – others are drawn to mountainous terrain, or the study of the planets and stars. When it comes to nature, we develop a ‘special’ connection to a species, a landscape, or an attribute of Mother Nature. And that ‘connection’leads us to a greater understanding of the inter-dependence of all living beings.

That understanding teaches us how important it is that we protect our environment…. if not for our ‘favorite’ … then for our own survival. We cannot live without the oxygen given to us by plants and trees.  We cannot live without clean water. We cannot live without clean air.  We are not separate from nature. We are inter-connected and totally dependent upon Mother Earth.

Why am I on this soap box today?  Well… recently my little home-town newpaper published an article about the local black bears.  The article basically informs the community that due to a recent dry period there are less fruits and berries and the hungry black bears have entered more heavily populated areas in their quest for a meal. It was reported that 2 years ago this region had a population of 2,500  – it is now estimated to be 4,000.  Black bears became protected in the 1980’s when over hunting pushed the black bear population to the brink.

The article continues – “So now that they are back to a healthy population, we are getting a high number of bear complaints, bear problems, and bear encounters”. The biologist said “We spend a lot of time telling people black bears are not predators. The only time I’ve seen any bear attacks in the area is when someone gets bit or scratched on the hand while trying to provide the bear with an ill-advised snack. Putting up trash, bird seed and fragrant pet food is the key to reducing bear vs. human run-ins”.

LOTS of people have moved into the territory of the bear. Many of these people do not heed the words of bear lovers or this particular biologist. And the bears pay for it.

The article concludes with “Now for the first time in nearly three decades the black bear game limit for hunters has been upped to two kills per season. We feel like it’s probably time for this. Our goal in bear management is now to level out the population”.                                       –  hmmmm  – level out the population…… –

You know how sometimes ‘timing’ can be ironic?  Well the same week this article about the black bear ‘boom’ was in our little weekly paper – the national news was informing the world that within days there will be 7 billion people on earth. By 2030 there will be 8 BILLION – Learn more here:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/7-billion

And this week – the struggle of nature to survive amid 7 Billion human beings was the focus of a film aired on National Geographic (NTGEO) The film – The Last Lions –  followed the life of a lioness with 3 cubs for one year. Just like the Black Bears in the mountains of N. Georgia…human encroachment onto the land of the African Lions has created displacement and dangerous situations that threaten future existence of this species. The story is compelling and beautifully shot and narrated. I highly recommend you take time to view it. Then go to National Geographic website – Cause an Uproar – for The Last Lions – be a voice !!!http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats/cause-an-uproar/