Black bear cub spotted near Wave trailhead

KANAB — Visitors hiking to the Wave are being advised to keep their distance from a young black bear that has been spotted near the Wire Pass trailhead in recent weeks.

A young black bear stands near the Wire Pass trailhead, the primary access point for hikers visiting the Wave, Buckskin Gulch and Coyote Buttes. Visitors are urged to give the bear plenty of space, secure food and trash and never feed wildlife. Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management.

According to Dreamland Safari Tours, the bear has been seen near the popular trailhead used to access the Wave, Buckskin Gulch and Coyote Buttes. The company said land management agencies have confirmed two orphaned black bear cubs are in the area, although only one has been observed near the trailhead.

While black bears are uncommon in the low desert around Kanab, wildlife experts say bears occasionally travel through canyon systems connecting the higher forests of the Kaibab Plateau and Paunsaugunt Plateau. Guides familiar with the area have reported finding bear scat in the Paria Canyon drainage in recent years, suggesting occasional bear activity is not unprecedented.

Officials remind visitors to give any bear plenty of space, never feed wildlife and securely store food and trash while recreating. Anyone encountering a bear should remain calm, avoid running, slowly back away and allow the animal an escape route.

The sighting has generated significant interest among hikers and local residents, many of whom hope the young bear avoids becoming accustomed to people. Wildlife managers often warn that bears that learn to associate humans with food are more likely to create conflicts that can ultimately prove fatal for the animal.

Anyone observing unusual bear activity is encouraged to report it to the Bureau of Land Management.