UPDATE:

*WGNA contacted the New York State DEC before we published this article on Monday, and they responded on Tuesday.  Here's what they told us about the incident over the weekend. 

Incident Involving Mama Bear and Cubs

Three Adirondack bears, a mother and her two cubs, had to be put down over the weekend after interacting with humans who got too close, causing her to become agitated.

Michelle Bartlett, founder of the “Life in the ADK” online community and gift shop, appeared frustrated and angry while discussing a recent interaction between a mama bear and her two cubs and a gathering of onlookers in the Adirondacks over the weekend.

Bartlett, who lives nearby, says a mother bear and her two cubs needed to be euthanized on Saturday after their presence in Old Forge, New York, attracted a large crowd, causing the mother bear to show an act of aggression toward humans.

Should Have Stayed 100 Yards Away

The incident occurred near Crosby Street in the heart of Old Forge, close to many shops, restaurants, museums, and local stores.

Mama bear and her two cubs euthanized in the Adirondacks, Old Forge New York black bear euthanized, Upstate New York bears put down, ADK mama bear and cubs put down, 518-news, 518news
Old Forge, New York, is near where a mother bear and her two cubs attracted a large crowd over the weekend. All three sadly had to be put down. Photo: Google Maps
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A visibility frustrated Bartlett says that the the mom and her two cubs should have been viewed from a safe distance, but that didn't happen.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service recommends keeping at least 100 yards (300 feet) away from bears, about the length of a football field. You might be considered a threat if you're closer than 100 feet.

Bartlett told GNA that "people from the hotels and the Air B and B area came out, and as the bears were walking, they followed behind them so they could not turn around."

She told us that even after personnel arrived and shut down Crosby Ave, near where the incident occurred, the crowds increased and that some people were "taking pics and selfies" of the animals without regard for their safety or the wild animals.

 

Michelle Bartlett owns "Life in the ADK" social media and gift store in Old Forge, NY. Photo: Screengrabbed from Facebook
Michelle Bartlett owns "Life in the ADK" social media and gift store in Old Forge, NY. Photo: Screengrabbed from Facebook
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Mother Bear Treed Babies for Safety

Fearing her cubs' safety, Bartlett told us that the mom "treed" her babies, which is something they do to protect their cubs, and then people, thinking they were helping, started to throw apples at them.

"The mom then stomped her feet," she told GNA, which served as a warning shot that bears often use to signal to back up. Some adhered to the warning, and others did not.

Even though she was doing what she felt was needed to protect her cubs, it was seen as a show of aggression, which ultimately led to her and her cubs being euthanized.

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photographybyJHWilliams/ThinkStock
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Babies Can't Live Without Their Mama

The bear population in the Adirondacks is quite high, and unfortunately, the babies were not re-homed or sent to a wildlife refuge.

The New York State Adirondack region is home to about 4,000 black bears, more than half of the state's population. This makes the Adirondacks the area with the highest concentration of black bears in New York, and hikers and campers often spot them.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation says they may euthanize black bears if they threaten public safety, including bears that have lost their fear of people and are known as "nuisance bears."

Nuisance bears are often young males or mothers with cubs still learning to find food. These bears may have become accustomed to finding food in trash or yards, which can lead to conflicts with people.

Mary Eaker Old Forge
Mary Eaker of Old Forge was there over the weekend and witnessed the bears. Admitting she also took some pictures, she stayed a safe distance away. Photo: Life in the ADK Facebook
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'YOU Got Them Killed'

"If you took pictures, and threw apples, you are the reason, you are the problem. If you have a picture of them, congratulations, you got them killed."

Bartlett told GNA  a similar situation happened two summers ago in the Adirondacks, where, sadly, a mother bear, and her three cubs had to be euthanized after an altercation with gawkers and onlookers in Old Forge.

 

According to the NYS DEC, there are a series of Do's and Dont's if you encounter a bear.

Avoiding human-bear conflicts begins with prevention and education. Here are some basic guidelines from the NYS DEC. 

  • Never feed or approach bears.
  • Secure food, garbage, and recycling
  • Remove bird feeders when bears are active
  • Never leave pet food outdoors
  • Clean and store grills and smokers
  • Alert neighbors to bear activity

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