Want to See a Black Bear Cub Ransack a Grocery Store Produce Section?
- Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:04am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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KETCHIKAN, Alaska (AP) — Some shoppers in Ketchikan got treated to Alaska’s version of a bear market last weekend.
The Ketchikan Daily News reports a small black bear cub walked in the front door of Tatsuda’s IGA. The scared animal found its way to a produce cooler, where it made a mess.
Meat department manager Joe Stollar responded to the PA announcement with a net because he misheard the announcement to say there was a bird in the store.
Authorities suspect it was an orphaned bear since its mother wasn’t nearby. Stollar says the tiny bear was just scared and trying to hide.
A customer captured the bear, and it was sent out the store’s back door into the woods.
Several thousand dollars of ruined produce was donated to a livestock owner.
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nelan72
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 5:12pmWas it a Cub Foods?
Report Post »AmericanStrega
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 10:48amLook, a kitty!
Report Post »00gabooga
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:27pmThat’s a “Native-Afro/American” bear. “BLACK” bear is racist.
Report Post »Jake in Denver
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 2:17pm+100 points
Report Post »psadie
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:21pmUh, where is Mama Bear?
Report Post »toto
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 6:59pmI‘m a little surprised that there isn’t a rehab outfit in Ketchikan or somewhere in the inland passage that takes orphaned critters.
Report Post »heferstat
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 3:54pmI live in Ketchikan. In fact I live less than a mile away from Tatsudas and often shop there and personally know the owner.. Bears are not uncommon here. I’ve had them walking by my back yard on several occasions.They are mostly looking for food before their winter hibernation. The salmon runs are mostly over and the berries are mostly finished. There are two canneries nearby, in fact one across the street from the store. There is a group of trees across the street from another cannery in town that is a favorite hangout for a dozen or more Eagles that the tourists love to take pictures of. My wife has had to shoo off Black Tailed Deer who come and nibble on her flowers. I also have a 3,000 foot Mountain in my back yard. That is one of the reasons I love it here, but best of all, the people who live here are the greatest, and this from a man who was born and grew up in Florida We love our wildlife and respect their habitat, and expect them to respect ours as well.If they are not a hazard to us, we leave them be. The only exception is for subsistence, but then fishing is also subsistence as well, I hear no complaints about catching or eating fish. Baby Bears are not cuddly,their Mommas are very protective and will attack. This bear is very small for this late in the year and I hope it makes it through the Winter.
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:47amTake a look at my post earlier in the thread. We are wondering about the food situation there, the availability and the cost.
Report Post »Bro Geo Too
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 3:32pmClearly it was part of the occupy crowd.
Report Post »Red Oregon
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 12:34amClearly, you could hear him protesting on the way out, waaaah, waaaah, The rich store owner owes me free food.
Report Post »DebbieFisher
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 1:20pmIf you read your Bbile correctly, you will notice that the habitats of man and beast have always overlapped. It takes a socialistic mindset to create the articial barriers we carry in our heads these days, thinking that there are boundaries between wildlife and ourselves.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:06pmMama is not necessarily dead.. Once when on vacation in TN we saw a bunch of people pulled over at a tourist parking spot all looking over the side of the wall .. so my friend stopped.. there was about a 6′ drop and everyone was watching a baby bear about the same size.. they were throwing it treats..MY question when seeing it was ” I might be from the city but where there‘s a baby isn’t mom usually around, and doesn’t like people messing with her baby”? Apparently that woke people up and they QUIT feeding baby so baby started crying.. THEN all of a sudden baby‘s cry’s were met with MOM calling to baby.. We didn‘t stick around but my guess is that IF mom doesn’t HEAR baby cry she CAN’T FIND HIM.. Feeding him kept him from calling mom..
Report Post »Kansas Mom
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 3:10pmThey were also teaching the cub that people = food. When he grows up to be a nuisance bear and is put down these people are to blame. I guess you were the only one there with common sense.
Report Post »aquablue
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:35amAwww!
Report Post »SanMoo
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:30amPoor little thing…..:(
Report Post »Jumper
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:24am@ ROBERT
Report Post »I‘m sure his mother wasn’t far away, and she will be able to smell, and then find him. They have enough encounters with bears in Alaska that I feel pretty sure that they knew what they were doing.
bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:07pm@Jumper
Doubt that the mother is still alive. If she was, I seriously doubt she would have let the cub get that close, let alone get inside. Possible, but doubtful.
Report Post »Jake in Denver
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 2:25pmMomma Bear was probably checking out the dumpsters when the little guy wandered into the store.
Report Post »Jumper
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:20amCute little rascal. Almost want to pet him, almost.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:09amReporter on site asking for just the bear facts . Story to follow
Report Post »djmaine
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:23amHalliburton and the Bush administration has their paws all over this.
Report Post »lisa2994
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:46amAwww poor little guy! This is what happens when we are in THEIR habitat!
Report Post »brian8793
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:19amSave the drama for ya mamma
Report Post »robert
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:25amSending that little cub into the woods is sending it to its death. It’s too young to fend for itself. If it isn’t killed by a predator it will likely starve to death.
They could have left it with a volunteer vet for a couple of months until it was big enough to care for itself.
Are people really that unaware and dense?
Report Post »Silence D
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:26amSo where exactly is OUR habitat?
Report Post »motonutt
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:06am@LISA…..The “chickification” of grocery stores. Yea….it’s our fault because we built a store on that poor little bears home….give me a break.
Report Post »bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:43amLISA2994
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:46am
Awww poor little guy! This is what happens when we are in THEIR habitat!
>>And what animal’s habitat are you living in, Lisa? I mean, really? Do people even think about where they are before saying things like this? Fact: if you live in a house anywhere, you are living in an area where there was once wild animals. Do you live in a house? Do you go to a store? Do you drive your car on a road? Guess what – all destroyed former habitats. So, unless you live in a tree with other animals and share their food and don’t drive anywhere, stop pointing fingers at other people who are trying to live their lives just like you!!
Report Post »bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:51am@ROBERT
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:25am
Sending that little cub into the woods is sending it to its death. It’s too young to fend for itself. If it isn’t killed by a predator it will likely starve to death.
They could have left it with a volunteer vet for a couple of months until it was big enough to care for itself.
Are people really that unaware and dense?
>>Robert, think about what you’re saying for just a moment – you want a vet to care for a wild bear until it’s old enough to care for itself. So after it’s been hand-fed and cared for for a year or so, then we send it into the woods, with no sense of survival or self-preservation in the wild because all it knows is being hand-feed and cared for. Really, Robert? Honestly, that cub has a better shot at long-term survival on it’s own that at the hands of do-gooders who want to save the planet. Nature has a way of taking care of itself. Besides, if it hadn’t wandered into the store, it would still be an orphan. I guess we could go out and round up all of the little orphan animals and turn them over to vets and hand-raise them forever. Now THAT would create some jobs!
Yes, apparently people ARE this unaware and dense.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:57amLisa… What’s OUR habitat?
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 1:41pmI didn’t realize that a grocery store was the natural habitat for bears! I will be well armed in Publix next time.
Report Post »robert
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:34pmBmarchand:
“Robert, think about what you’re saying for just a moment – you want a vet to care for a wild bear until it’s old enough to care for itself. So after it’s been hand-fed and cared for for a year or so, then we send it into the woods, with no sense of survival or self-preservation in the wild because all it knows is being hand-feed and cared for. Really, Robert?”
Yes, really, old guy, but did you understand that I said “for a couple of months,” not a year? It happens quite frequently with many different kinds of animals. Many animals are cared for until they’re healed or old enough to be released so they can then have a better chance of making it on their own.
“Honestly, that cub has a better shot at long-term survival on it’s own.”
It DOE NOT have a better chance at its present age “on its own.” I doubt that it has ANY chance at all right now. It needs a little size. It doesn’t have to learn to eat. It will do fine in that regard as long as its released in the Summer or Spring.
“I guess we could go out and round up all of the little orphan animals and turn them over to vets and hand-raise them forever. Now THAT would create some jobs!”
What does “rounding up little orphans” have to do with a situation where a little animal is already in the care and custody of humans? You might want to rethink that. It sounds really dumb.
“Yes, apparently people ARE this unaware and dense.”
Yes, like you.
Report Post »bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:55pm@ROBERT
“old guy”? What’s that supposed to mean? That you’re young? I would guess so. Maybe a little life experience is in order, my friend. Admittedly, I messed your “couple of months” statement. But regardless, the more we interfere with nature the worse it gets. Yes, we build houses in their habitats, but that is real life. Yes, momma bears get killed and baby bears get orphaned, but that is real life. You yell at me that it “DOES NOT” have a better chance on it’s own, and yet you offer no proof other wise. Wild animals do need to learn how to fend for themselves. That cub may have a tough go of it, but it certainly will not learn to catch fish or forage at the hands of a well-meaning vet. Let’s be honest here. And I don‘t know what animal you’re referring to that was in the “custody and care” of humans, but it certainly isn’t that cub. It was in the custody of a human long enough to release it back into the wild. I have thought about it, sir. Much longer than I believe you have. It’s always nice to take the do-gooder approach to everything in life, but it is far from realistic or what is always best for everyone involved. Rather than take the advice of sympathetic folks who don’t know much about wildlife, I’ll put my trust in the people who live up there, as well as the law enforcement and wildlife management officers who handled this.
Not unaware, far from dense. Just with a different opinion and, apparently, more real life experience.
Report Post »robert
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 10:03pmbmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:55pm
@ROBERT
“old guy”? What’s that supposed to mean? That you’re young? I would guess so. Maybe a little life experience is in order, my friend. Admittedly, I messed your “couple of months” statement.”
You missed my “couple of months” statement yet you continue on with the same mindless, pointless blather, old guy, as if you have a huge problem with comprehension.
Why anyone would want to raise an issue over an insignificant comment regarding the handling of a little animal as if it were on a par with national security is known only to those who are steeped in pettiness.
Much of what you say is nonsense, and your ramblings regarding “do-gooders” makes as little sense as the rest of your comments.
Understand that I have owned and worked with various animals almost all my life.
You could have phrased your response as a simple rebuttal giving your opinion, but you chose to personally attack me. (Yes, apparently people ARE this unaware and dense.) (And you added: . Maybe a little life experience is in order, my friend. )
It is those kinds of insulting remarks that are absolutely uncalled for and prompts a response just like this one.
Report Post »likwidlizard
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:36amThis is sooo cool. Lil guy was hungry. And smart enough to go shopping.
Report Post »Lovehammered
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:49amPoor baby!
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:38amHey, the little guy wants some oranges.
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:22amHere is the store on google maps – http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&biw=1024&bih=630&q=633%20Stedman%20St&gs_sm=e&gs_upl=1043l1871l0l2944l2l2l0l1l1l0l132l132l0.1l1l0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Doesn’t really have “woods behind the store” but perhaps the bear was able to get into the woods up over the rocks. But for those living in larger cities, did you notice the size of the produce department? One side of a small aisle. Would you be able to get used to living in a place like that? Guess they’re happy to get any fresh produce really. And did you notice the prices, what is it that is marked 6.49?
Report Post »Voteman
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 9:19amBaby Bear @ 6.49 lb….
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 11:59amvoteman.. GOOD ONE
Report Post »bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:05pm@AB5R
“But for those living in larger cities, did you notice the size of the produce department? One side of a small aisle. Would you be able to get used to living in a place like that? Guess they’re happy to get any fresh produce really.”
>>Well, for one, Ketchikan is not a big town, so you’re not going to have a large “supermarket” selection. That also explains the higher prices – this is not the ‘burbs. Ketchikan is somewhat remote. You have to be intending to go there, so it’s not like the grocery trucks just swing by every couple of days. Another thing you may not understand is that most of the people up there know how to grow their own stuff and, in Alaska, you can really grow produce – big time. So they may not have a need for a big produce section. So I disagree with your assumption that “they’re happy to get any fresh produce really.” These are not back-woods, desperate people with no way of fending for themselves without what meager supplies they can get, if that‘s what you’re implying. These are people who know how to take care of themselves. The people of Alaska are as amazing as the land they live in. I have been so blessed to have just visited a few times. They know what they’re doing and they have my utmost admiration and respect.
Report Post »bmarchand
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 12:10pm@AB5R
And, by the way, on the map… see all those trees in the satellite view? THAT is the woods.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 4:58pmIt looks like cauliflower for $6.49 or somekind of root crop.
Report Post »loadingmyclips
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 5:03pmmaybe head lettuce. whatever it was it was tooo expensive! I’ll get my wildlife fix from animal planet, and my lettuce from Kroger’s!
Report Post »AB5r
Posted on October 20, 2011 at 8:45ambmarch, there are remote towns in every part of the country and obviously they aren’t going to have a large selection in the supermarket. And the more remote, the higher the prices. I doubt there are very many months of the year they can grow their own produce in Alaska. And if they are using grow lamps inside, that is a huge electric cost and a lot of work for a family. If someone is paying 6.49 for whatever that is, that isn’t something you can afford all the time. Maybe they end up eating frozen or canned more often. Who knows, who cares, that is their business. I just thought it was interesting to get to see that part of the world and their little supermarket. And there are not woods behind the market, nearby perhaps, but not behind. It is just fascinating that we can use google to zoom in on a location like this after seeing it in that story. I did a quick search for diet in Alaska and apparently they have some problems, it isn’t as great as you suggest. Maybe Heferstat can chime in on this, how is the food situation in Ketchican, can you get a good selection of fresh food year round or do you eat produce you can yourself, or is it canned most of the year? And how high is the cost of food overall, do you find it takes a much larger percentage of your budget than in Florida?
Report Post »Countrygirl1362
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 8:03amSo cute. Bet Momma was not far away. Now that is a scary thought.
Report Post »Catchout
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:50amThat is an unBEARable situation.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:32amPoor little guy.
Report Post »drago
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:31amHe was just looking for the “bear” necessities……..
Report Post »drago
Posted on October 19, 2011 at 7:34amClean up, isle six……..
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on October 21, 2011 at 6:33am:) funny
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