Utah biologists climb inside a black bear den

A baby black bear cub. Photo: Janko Ferlič

UNDISCLOSED, Utah. — Each year biologists from the Utah Department of Natural Resources climb inside bear dens to quantify the reproduction and recruitment of Utah’s black bear population. This typically involves tranquilizing the mother bear, assessing her health, checking her GPS collar fit, and determining how many cubs were potentially born during the winter.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources posted a video to social media of Utah biologists checking up on mama bear and snuggling with her tiny bear cubs.

For safety tips for those recreating and living in bear country, visit Wild Aware Utah.