Bear Lake rangers urge caution after rare black bear struck, killed by vehicle – kjzz.com

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by Danielle MacKimm, KUTV
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BEAR LAKE, Utah (KUTV) — Bear Lake State Park rangers are reminding visitors to use caution when driving through the grounds after a rare black bear was struck and killed by a vehicle.
Rangers said the bear was hit on the east side of the lake near Cisco Bench, on the Utah side.
They called the incident “particularly tragic,” as black bears were once native to the valley but were nearly wiped out due to overhunting and habitat loss in the 1800s and 1900s.
“Seeing one return to the area is a rare and powerful reminder of the wild beauty that once thrived here,” rangers said in a statement.
Park officials urged visitors to remember that the land is home to many wild species that move through the area freely and do not follow crosswalks.
With the summer season approaching, rangers emphasized that “it’s critical that we drive with extra caution, especially at dawn and dusk.”
Visitors have been asked to stay alert, watch the road, drive slowly, and respect the wildlife the land is shared with.
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