At the beginning of this month, Governor Sean Parnell declared April ‘Bear Awareness’ Month.  That is leading several coalitions around the state to continue their awareness programs and work with residents to remember that this is the time of year when bear wake up and start roaming the area.  The Northern Susitna Valley’s Bear Necessities Coalition is one such group.

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In May, for the first time in history, a bear was shot and killed by a visitor in Denali National Park. The result of that incident was a two month long discussion by park officials in a precedent setting case.  The final determination has been made and the couple from North Pole, AK will not be charged.

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Photo by Robin Song

Local writer and host Robin Song takes us on a few hours’ bear-viewing excursion from  Kodiak Island. She watches a couple brown bears as their play  turns to fight. What it’s like to be up close and personal with brown bears….

This program first aired in summer 2009.

Audio runs 6:20.

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On this locally produced Earth and Beyond program: Things that go bump in the night, and what Jody the horse thinks of them. Birch Creek Ranch has had a few visitors…and writer and host Robin Song was there to tell about them. Audio runs eight minutes.

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Instead of going to trial for the killings of a bear sow and her three cubs, Yukon Don Tanner saw the wildlife infraction charges against him dismissed by the district attorney. (more…)

Geri Denkewalter reads a poem in honor of the recent restoration of the bear that serves as a landmark for Talkeetna at the intersection of the Parks Highway and the Talkeetna Spur Road. During a dedication ceremony, held on Friday afternoon, the Girl Scout Troop 293 officially unveiled a dedication plaque naming the bear “K’etnu Shesh”, Athabascan for River Bear. The plaque also lists all community members who helped restore the bear statue. The Girl Scout Troop 293 choose the restoration of the bear as their 2008/2009 community project. Photo by Diana Haecker

The bear problems around the Talkeetna area have continued.  At least 5 bears were shot last week in defense of life and property, according to the Department of Fish and Game.

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April Moore poses with the so far unnamed "new" bear

The bear that has slowly leaned toward the ground at the Talkeetna “Y” has had a makeover and is standing straight again.

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Two different sets of bears have been causing a disturbance in the Talkeetna area, getting into trash and showing no fear of humans.

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