Wildlife officials perplexed by increase in killings of black bears in Utah this summer

5 black bears shot, killed in Utah this month

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah wildlife officials say people have killed five black bears in the last two weeks, mostly bruins that wandered into campgrounds or were found eating livestock.

The number is unusually high and state biologists are puzzled by what has caused the increase.

Mark Hadley, a spokesman for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, says the first bear killed this year was at a Uintah County campground July 1. The bear came into camp, refused to leave and posed a threat to a camper, who shot it.

The latest incidents were in southern Utah, where bears were shot and killed Saturday and Sunday.

Each killing is investigated by wildlife officials and local prosecutors.

State officials estimate there are 3,000 to 4,000 black bears living in Utah.