Saturday, July 15, 2006

Hello baby bear!

My wife took this picture of a baby bear in our backyard Friday afternoon.
Nature is an amazing thing. But one bad thing which is happening is that there is so much development in some parts of the world, that many facets of nature are being driven out of their natural habitat.
We live in a woodsy area in the small suburban city of Concord. My family has owned the house we live in for more than a quarter of a century.
In the old days, there were only a few houses around us. Then, a slew of McMansions - before they were termed as such - were built in the woods next door. Soon after that, a slew more were built down the road and around the corner ... and then a slew more up the road ... and then more up the road further ... and then a few more down around the corner again ... and now just feet down the road, another 15 more are going in.
In all, by the end of this year, I estimate that probably 100 new homes will have been built in the immediate area in the last 20 years. That may not seem like a lot. But in what once was pretty much the woods, that's a lot!
In the old days, there were never any bears around here. Deers, raccoons, foxes, squirrels, and obnoxious chipmunks digging up the lawn? Sure. Bears? Nada. But now the bears are finding their entire area being settled by homes and not just a few homes either. And, they don't seem to have anywhere to go but into neighborhoods where they never were before.
And where there is a baby bear, there are usually more baby bears and also, a mummy bear. Mum was probably somewhere near by when my wife snapped this quick shot and you don't not want to get near the mummy bears under any circumstances.
So, what to do? More controlled development might be nice. A bear sanctuary? Bear hunting? Keeping better control of your trash so they don't roam around for goodies and picnic baskets?
How about just plain figuring out how we all live together reasonably ... while not being afraid to go outside with your little ones!
Crossposted at Area603

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