Alaska Black Bears Storm Military Base: MRE Mayhem at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Alaska black bears recently raided a supply room and a motor pool at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) in Alaska. They left behind trash from Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) and climbed into at least one Humvee over the past month.
Officials are unsure how many bears were involved or if the incidents were linked. However, at least two bears accessed a motor pool building, with one incident noted on October 28. A bear entered a supply storage building, causing a mess with food packaging. A subsequent incident on November 2 saw officers finding a bear inside a military vehicle.
The MRE raids raise concerns among wildlife officials. Corey Stantorf, an Alaska Department of Fish and Game biologist, warned that once bears find food in human-made structures, they might return. This habit can lead to dangerous situations where bears are euthanized for their behavior.
James Wendland, a JBER Wildlife Conservation officer, pointed out that bears may not go into hibernation if they continue finding food sources. Their hibernation is driven by the availability of food. Additionally, non-food items from MREs, like packaging and heater packs, can be harmful to bears.
What are the best practices for preventing bear encounters in urban areas like Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson?
Interview with Corey Stantorf, Alaska Department of Fish and Game Biologist
News Directory 3: Thank you for joining us today, Corey. Recently, we’ve seen reports of black bears raiding supply rooms and motor pools at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. What are the main concerns regarding these incidents?
Corey Stantorf: Thank you for having me. The primary concern is that once bears find food in human-made structures, they often return. This creates a situation where bears become habituated to human food sources, which can lead to dangerous encounters and, unfortunately, the euthanization of the bears involved.
News Directory 3: How many bears are believed to be involved in these incidents at JBER, and do you think the events are linked?
Corey Stantorf: It’s unclear how many bears are involved at the moment. We know at least two bears accessed the motor pool, and the October 28 incident showed one of them entering a supply building. However, we can’t definitively say whether these incidents are linked.
News Directory 3: What impact does the availability of food have on bear behavior, particularly as we approach winter?
Corey Stantorf: Bears are driven to hibernate based on the availability of food. If they continue to find accessible food sources, they may not enter hibernation at all, which disrupts their natural cycles. This behavior can be hazardous, both for the bears and for humans.
News Directory 3: James Wendland, a JBER Wildlife Conservation officer, mentioned that non-food items from MREs can be harmful to bears. Can you explain why this is a concern?
Corey Stantorf: Absolutely. MRE packaging and heater packs are not digestible for bears. Ingesting these materials can lead to serious health issues, including blockages or internal injuries. Furthermore, these items can’t provide the nutritional value that bears need, making their situation dire.
News Directory 3: Bear encounters often lead to jokes, especially regarding their taste in MRE flavors. In reality, what does a bear’s diet look like, and how might these MREs fit in?
Corey Stantorf: While it’s humorous to speculate on a bear’s favorite MRE flavor, it’s important to note that bears are primarily herbivorous. They generally consume fruits, berries, and vegetation. However, the Cold Weather MREs they likely accessed are calorie-dense, providing around 1,560 calories each. This high caloric content does attract bears, especially in the fall when they are preparing for hibernation.
News Directory 3: What actions are you and your department taking to mitigate these issues with bears at JBER?
Corey Stantorf: We are advising military officials and working closely with conservation officers to secure food storage areas. Educating personnel about bear behavior and the importance of keeping human food away from wildlife is crucial. We’re prioritizing a proactive approach to prevent future encounters that could endanger both the bears and the community.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Corey, for sharing your insights on this important topic. It’s vital that we continue to raise awareness about human-wildlife interactions, especially in areas like JBER.
Corey Stantorf: Thank you for having me. Awareness is key to coexisting safely with wildlife.
Some people joked about which MRE flavor would be a bear’s favorite. Wildlife expert Jaime Sajecki noted that bears have a diet that is largely vegetarian. However, the bears at JBER likely consumed Cold Weather MREs, which are calorie dense, providing about 1,560 calories each. Bears are known to consume large amounts of food in the fall to prepare for hibernation.
In summary, the bears’ raids at JBER highlight a serious issue. Bears that find food in human spaces can become a danger to themselves and others, leading to unfortunate outcomes.