Once again, a wild animal has wandered into a Garfield County community.
A 150-pound male bear meandered into the Panguitch business district, apparently trying to find something to eat in back of the stores.Ironically, it could end up on the dinner table at the upcoming annual Cannonville Bear Festival. Norman McKee, biologist with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said officials had no alternative but to shoot the animal.
McKee said it was the first time in his 26 years in Panguitch that a bear came into the business sector of the community. Some believed a second bear may have been in the town, but further investigation proved that false.
There were also fears that the animal may have destroyed and eaten sheep, but investigation of its stomach revealed it had eaten only grass.
McKee said Wildlife Resources can't trap bear at the present time because there is no place to move them. Bear habitat areas in the state are full and the animals won't make room for newcomers, he said.
Wild animals are also being squeezed out of some of their native habitats because of increasing numbers of cabins and campgrounds.
Bears and cougars have been seen in Cannonville, Tropic and Escalante in Garfield County in recent years. No humans have been injured, but pets have been killed.
A bear was also captured last year in a summer home area near Navajo Lake east of Cedar City.
McKee believes the bear in Panguitch was likely turned out of the den by its mother to make room for younger cubs. It was shot by Wildlife Resources technician Bill Frandsen behind Bulkley's Taxidermy.
Because of the frequent appearances of wild animals in the county, Cannonville decided to hold a bear festival. Sponsors have submitted a bid to purchase the meat of the bear and serve it at that event.
Wildlife Resources' policy is to sell the meat of wild animals or donate it to the needy, if the meat is usable.
McKee noted that state law allows shooting of wild animals when they endanger people or private property. Such incidents should be reported to Wildlife Resources officials, however.
More bears and cougars generally show up in populated areas when natural foods are less available because of drought conditions. Southern Utah is dry this year, with some mountain areas receiving only about 50 percent of the average annual precipitation.
While bears in Utah are of the black bear species, they come in all colors from blond to dark brown, McKee said.