An absolutely wonderful experience- so glad I got to participate. I assure you, this bear is very much alive- just sleeping!
You would have thought it was some type of raid when four Mississippi Wildlife and Fisheries vehicles converged on the parking lot at 8 am this morning. Even though there were a few guns on people’s hips, it was a very friendly meeting. Most of the W&F people had driven 3 hours from different areas of the state to participate in their first Black bear experience.
Thanks to Mississippi Wildlife Agents Anthony, Russ, Chloe, Brent, Logan, and intern Hayden. Special Thanks to Anthony Ballard for making this learning experience possible and teaching us so much.
Everyone was assigned a job and the lead group left with the dart gun. The bear was having a nap with all four feet up in the air.
After the bear was sedated, the rest of the party was shuttled to the site. The bear was weighted and put on oxygen. This male bear weighed 308 pounds. The breathing and pulse were monitored every five minutes. The desired breathing rate under sedation was 5-7 breaths per minute. The most unfortunate member of the party was given the job of monitoring the temperature every 5 minutes. Did I mention that it was the anal temperature?
Samples of blood, hair, and even ticks were taken.
Ear tags were placed. White is on the right for female and reversed for the male. (Just in case you spot a tagged bear in Mississippi). The ear tags are green now, but will be red in the near future. Measurements were taken, teeth were checked, and all features were recorded. This male bear is # 48.
Just like you put a chip in the dogs you love so that if lost, they will be returned, the bears also receive micro chips. Anthony explains below.
Narcan was administered to wake the bear up. After five to ten minutes, sleepyhead awoke.
The trap had to be cleaned and reset. None of the guys seemed to mind when Logan and Chloe climbed into the cage to ‘clean house’. In fact, I didn’t hear a single male even volunteer! In all fairness, the cage is rather close quarters.
#48 was thrilled with his new ear rings. (Not many men would be thrilled with their new earrings.) However, he was no worse for his nap. The trap was rebaited in hopes of catching the mama bear and her 4 cubs (3 of her own and 1 adopted). If she is caught, she will get her new collar. I would imagine that her new collar will be slightly tighter since she has already ditched two of them. I wonder if she would appreciate her collars more if she realized they each cost around $2500.
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Also, check out ‘Mississippi black bears’ on FACEBOOK for Anthony Ballard’s site on the Bear Program in Mississippi.