Much in this world is fleeting, and this massive Grizzly bear just learned that the hard way.
Back in June, this Montana bear made headlines for utilizing a generator storage shed as a personal scratching post. And just as a side note, that bear is either incredibly large or the shed is deceptively small…
Just look at this Facebook post from a couple of months ago showing how much the grizzly loved this shed:
In the picture on the bottom left, it legitimately looks like the big bear is smiling. Sometimes nothing beats getting that itch that’s been bothering you scratched, and this bear was living its best life thanks to this perfectly sized, high scratch-ability shed.
But now, we unfortunately have gotten news that the Montana Fish,Wildlife and Parks Department saw the viral posts and didn’t think it was as cute as everyone else did. They’ve actually decided to step in and put a stop to the back scratching like an evil villain in a Disney movie.
The MFWPD shared on their Facebook page:
“While this massive grizzly bear had a good scratch, it is important to prevent further conflicts with humans and structures. Rubbing on a 67” tall structure, the bear in the image is a large breeding-age male that has been documented on this private property for years.”
Hey, so at least we know that the shed is almost 6 feet tall now. Glad we got that cleared up, but angry as ever that they decided to prevent the bear from utilizing the shed as a scratching post.
They elaborated as to why they chose to do so:
“The area’s FWP Bear Specialist worked with the property manager to cost-share the electric fence, which we installed together. This generator shed contained no food attractants and was mostly empty.
Bears are often curious about wood stains/oils/varnishes/shellacs and other outdoor treatments and will readily chew and rub on these treated woods. Once a scent post is created, other bears traveling in the area will rub in the same spot to make their presence known to other bears.”
So the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department is saying that the act of the bear scratching on this shed could then lead to scent marking and lure in other bears to the area. Alright, I guess I’m coming around on the whole thing, but it still makes me sad for the bear.
One day he had the dream scratching setup, and the next day it was gone. The MFWPD decided to install an electric charged deterrent directly onto the walls of the shed:
“The need for an electric fence on this structure is to prevent bears from being accustomed to and comfortable with rubbing on human structures, which can lead to them becoming more conflict-prone.
Proactive measures, such as this one, teach bears to avoid human structures keeping people safe and reducing the need for management removal of bears.”
Yeah, yeah, whatever…
Now that one of the bear’s sources of joy is taken away, I hope that the department decides to at least install some sort of similar scratching post somewhere out in the wilderness (away from people) so that this bear can still enjoy some scratch sessions. And you might be thinking “the bear could just use a tree,” and that’s true, but this particular bear wasn’t planning on using a tree after it found this shed.
You can view the post from the MFWPD below, along with pictures of the electric fence they installed around the shed:
Two Grizzly Bears Slap The Living Hell Out Of Each Other
It doesn’t get any wilder than this.
What an incredible video of nature and everything it has in store.
When it comes to iconic predators of the North American wilderness, grizzly bears and wolves are at the top of the list.
Both animals are apex predators and play crucial roles in shaping the ecosystems they inhabit.
Grizzlies are found in Alaska, Canada, and parts of the continental United States, such as Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. They are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals, and their diet consists of berries, roots, fish, and small mammals as well as larger animals such as elk, bison, and moose. Adult males can weigh up to 600 pounds and stand up to 8 feet tall when standing on their hind legs.
Grizzlies fight to establish and defend territory. Male grizzly bears will actively defend their territory from other males. This is particularly true during mating season, when males will compete for access to females. Fighting allows them to establish dominance and increase their chances of reproducing.
They will also fight for rights to food, which mirrors territory many times. Another reason is when females defend young.
Wolves are a very similar animal in many ways. An apex predator that eats lots of animals. But, wolves are more willing to work together and also know their place as they reside in many overlapping territories as grizzlies.
This wild video shows two large grizzly bears exchanging blows and wrestling. The bears roll and literally slap each other with a view so close you see the spit flying out of their mouth.
As the grizzlies roll over you can see some wolves standing on the tree line taking in the wild battle. The wolves stay well and clear from the fighting grizzlies knowing their place.
As the grizzlies begin to slow down in the fight the wolves head for higher ground.
What an incredible moment in the wild.
@qinhan111 #Bear #wildanimals #fyp ♬ Ruby Sparks (Slowed) – Monét Ngo
