Lost bear cub lands in good hands at Heber City Airport

Wildlife officials safely captured the cub Wednesday morning and are still searching for its mother.

HEBER CITY, Utah — Deputies, DNR and Animal Control responded to the scene Wednesday morning after a bear cub was spotted near the Heber City Airport.

The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office reported that the bear cub appeared lost and confused but authorities captured it safely, without injury. Officials have not yet located the cub’s mother but say that the cub remains safe and in good hands.

As wildlife becomes more active this time of year, officials are reminding the public to keep a safe distance from the animals and remain alert and aware of their surroundings.

This year, Utah has reported more than twice as many bear incidents than in 2025. With drought conditions persisting across the state, it has become increasingly difficult for bears to find natural sources of food and water, causing animals to venture further into cities in search of resources.

The Heber City sighting is the latest in a series of bear encounters along the Wasatch Back. Earlier this week, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a 1- to 2-year-old bear in Kamas. As a precaution, officials recommended that students avoid walking home from school while authorities worked to locate and safely capture the bear.

Wildlife Resources encourages anyone who encounters a bear to:

• Stand your ground: Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent.

• Don’t run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph — you cannot outclimb or outrun them.

• Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it’s not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.

• If a black bear attacks, always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.