LDWF says black bear will be trapped, removed from area.
A black bear killed a calf last week near Epps, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries said today.
The killing in West Carroll Parish occurred between sunset on April 24 and sunrise the following day, the LDWF said.
LDWF Wildlife Division staff performed a necropsy to determine the cause of the calf’s death, the agency said.
The bear will be trapped if it returns to feed on the calf carcass, although that had not happened as of yesterday, the LDWF said.
This is the first confirmed incident of a bear killing livestock since the department’s black bear program was created to restore the threatened species population in Louisiana.
“It is unusual for black bears in Louisiana to exhibit predatory behavior, LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program Manager Maria Davidson said. “They are primarily opportunistic omnivores, feeding on fruits, nuts, grains, carrion and, when available, garbage.”
The Tensas River basin in the northeast corner of the state is one of three black bear population centers that also include the lower Atchafalaya Basin and Pointe Coupee Parish.
LDWF advised the public that black bear activity begins to increase as warm spring temperatures increase their movement as they search for food sources.
Encounters with bears can be minimized by securing all garbage and pet and livestock feed. Click here for more information on avoiding bear encounters and what to do if you encounter a bear.
