Wildlife biologists with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) are seeking the public’s help to locate black bear dens throughout New York. As part of the DEC’s ongoing monitoring of black bears, wildlife biologists periodically check on them during the winter den season. The bears may be fitted with a radio collar to help biologists track the bears’ activities throughout the rest of the year and to relocate dens in subsequent years for monitoring cub production, condition and survival.
Bears may den in a rock crevice, tree cavity or under heavy brush or fallen trees. Since female bears generally give birth in January or early February, a high-pitched squeal from the cubs may be audible if near a den. The DEC urges anyone who finds a bear den not to approach or disturb the den, but simply to note the location and move away from the site. Anyone locating a bear den should contact their local DEC wildlife office with specifics, including GPS coordinates, if possible. More information is available here.
Some black bear dens, courtesy bear.org:
