So.. yesterday.. I was about 1/8th of a mile from getting on to the freeway, when suddenly...something runs in front of my truck. At first, I thought it was someone's black lab- then I realize...it's a bear. And not just a black bear, but a small bear- probably just coming out of being a true "cub" turning into an adolescent- probably about 40 pounds (according to the Wildlife Official). He darted in front of the truck then headed toward the fence which provides the barrier to the freeway. Thinking he was going to commit suicide, I pulled right behind him and hit my horn. This startled him and he ran back the way he had come- back across the road- whew.. success. Several other cars were trying to figure out why I had my hazard lights on and was waving out my window to them to slow down. They too- stopped to enjoy this strange, yet beautiful creature. Next thing I know.. the cub is running back toward my truck again- back again across the road. This time, he comes over to the truck and stops right next to my driver side door and lays down. All I could think was "poor little guy". He was scared, clearly confused, and a big white truck was... for the moment.. shelter. I couldn't wrap my head around this irony...here I was driving into a "Living and Recreating in Bear Country" clinic and had a bear cub laying next by the truck... by the freeway.....FATE CHOSE ME... on this very day... to have this experience... "I should take him with me for a prop"... I thought and laughed out loud. Back to the situation... I knew this little guy was in danger for many reasons. No mama around to care for him.. too many cars.. houses nearby... the freeway- a constant threat....I didn't dare open my truck door.. so there I sat.. a welcome prisoner to a scared bear cub. I was the perfect prisoner.. I had my cell phone.. and on my cell phone was the number to our local Department of Fish and Wildlife Dangerous Animals Specialist. Irony again. I've worked with this Officer many times for Outreach- I was not only a co-community worker with him, but also a friend. He and his family live downtown North Bend (irony again)...right across from my boss- who is also a close friend of his (need I say it... Irony again). I knew if I called, he'd be there in a flash. Quickly I dialed. He was in route.. I felt better. Suddenly the little furry boy gets up and moves again- this time urinating as he walked all the way across the street- back to the other side. "Poor little scared boy"... I thought again.
When Officer M showed up- some 5 minutes later, the cub had cut into the dense blackberry bushes and was deep in them. Officer M- told me that this wasn't the first time they'd had this report. Apparently this little man has been hanging out down in this area for close to a month- feeding on blackberries. There is no mama anywhere- most likely.. she was either killed or abandoned her cub. Either way the cub hasn't had proper parenting and once the berries are gone- will become a big problem (if he doesn't get killed by a car first). They are working on trying to trap him so that they can get him into a better place. Because he is so young, he will be sent to PAWS (animal rehab), where they will teach him to be wild and afraid of cars and people- then relocate him to a beautiful home in the Cascades. Timing is crucial here. This bear is on the cusp of adulthood, but is still young enough right now to rehabilitate.
I had to run. I thanked Officer M and headed in to work, with quite a story. Last night before the clinic, I was able to tell my story to my 32 attendees.
Because of all my bear sightings and incidents (including seeing 4 bears in one day in the Watershed..which is really unusual), someone at work suggested that I might now be called "The Bear Whisperer". I had to laugh. It was too much irony for one day...perhaps I truly deserve that title.
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