BEAR ACTIVITY IS WAY UP THIS YEAR IN THE SANDIA RANGER DISTRICT. WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST ESTHER NELSON SAYS THE BEARS ARE FATTENING UP FOR THE WINTER BY MUNCHING ON ACORNS, CHOKE CHERRIES, AND OTHER VEGETATION. THE AREA NOT ONLY HAS FOOD RESOURCES BUT WATER AS WELL, MAKING IT A PERFECT SPOT FOR MEETING THE NEEDS OF BEARS.
BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED PRESENCE OF BEARS, FOREST OFFICIALS HAVE TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN THE SULPHUR CANYON, CIENEGA CANYON AND DOC LONG PICNIC AREAS…PLUS SOME TRAILS. THE CLOSURES WILL BE IN PLACE UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER.
