Bear hibernates in drain tunnel

[Hum]

VESPER, Wis., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said it will not disturb a black bear that picked a drain tunnel to hibernate.

Officials said the bear, which took up residence in the drain tunnel in the Town of Vesper, likely picked the spot because it's dry and warm, WITI-TV, Milwaukee, reported Monday.

"A lot of the hibernation dens are quite obvious to the visible eye. Generally, black bears are fairly submissive. Their first instinct will be to turn and run away from people. So it would be very unusual, especially in the state of Wisconsin, for a bear to attack anyone," said Courtney Schaefer, a DNR wildlife biologist.

DNR officials said the drain could be the bear's home for up to four months.

source & video

[Growled Member]

That is cool. :)

[Wolfbane]

Until there's a flood and the bear gets a rude awakening.

[Japlabot]

Until there's a flood and the bear gets a rude awakening.

That's what I was thinking. What would happen to the bear when the drain actually becomes occupied by water? Would it wake up? Could it drown? Could there be sufficient pressure to push the bear out and cause injury to it?

[Farstrider]

The story is actually pretty sad if you think about it. It really makes me upset that the world these animals used to live in does not exist any more! Instead of the the poor dude going to find a nice warm cave he has to resort to a drain! Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic, but when ever I see or read about things like this I always feel a sense of loss for these poor creatures. :(

[HighwayGlider]

That's what I was thinking. What would happen to the bear when the drain actually becomes occupied by water? Would it wake up? Could it drown? Could there be sufficient pressure to push the bear out and cause injury to it?

I believe they will keep an eye on the "relaxing dude".

[Hum]

Shame they can't build the bears a better place to sleep. :/