Yellowstone bears go hungry after beetle infestation destroys whitebark pines
By MATTHEW BROWN, Associated Press Writer
August 22, 2010 (AP) — Yellowstone’s grizzlies are going to be particularly hungry this fall, and that means more dangerous meetings with humans in a year that is already the area’s deadliest on record. Scientists report that a favorite food of many bears, nuts from whitebark pine cones, is scarce. So as grizzlies look to put on some major pounds in preparation for the long winter ahead, scientists say, they will be looking for another source of protein – meat – and running into trouble along the way. Wildlife managers already report bears coming down off the mountains and into areas frequented by hunters, berry pickers and hikers. … Yellowstone’s grizzlies were recently ordered back onto the threatened species list by a federal judge who cited in part a decline in whitebark pine. Beetles, apparently surviving winters in larger numbers due to less frequently freezing temperatures, have decimated vast stands of the high-altitude trees. In some areas studied by researchers, more than 70 percent of trees have been killed. While bears aren’t starving, the loss of whitebark is driving increasing numbers of conflicts with humans. “Every year is now a bad year for whitebark pine,” said Louisa Wilcox with the Natural Resources Defense Council. “We can expect more conflicts and we are getting it.” …
