A male black bear spotted last month in the western Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area near Malibu became the first bear in these parts to be captured by officials and fitted with a radio collar, which is being used to track its movements.
Biologists say the bear is likely the only one roaming this part of the mountains south of the 101 Freeway. Dubbed “BB-12,” the 210-pound, 3- to 4-year-old adult bear likely crossed the freeway to reach that stretch of wilderness, said Jeff Sikich, wildlife biologist with the U.S. National Park Service, who for 20 years has led the study of mountain lions roaming the region.
“”Yeah, this is definitely rare,” Sikich said on Wednesday, May 3. “We assume it came from the north, where other bears in the past have left the Santa Susana Mountains. He may cross again. Now we will know. But the 101 (freeway) around there is a formidable barrier. Most animals don’t attempt to cross it.”
BB-12, a lone, large mammal in a remote stretch of the recreational area, can be likened to the famous mountain lion, P-22, who crossed two freeways and spent a lonely 10 years within Griffith Park. P-22 died in December from illness and complications from being struck by a car and was feted to a sold-out crowd at the Greek Theatre in February.
Like P-22, the bear lives alone, with no evidence of a breeding population nearby. P-22 never found a mate after becoming isolated inside Griffith Park, the only mountain lion to live there. He became a cause celeb for wildlife protection and helped inspire the wildlife crossing now under construction that will span the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, and which is set to open in 2025.
On April 23, biologists located BB-12, sedated the large bear and performed a full workup, taking samples and conducting body measurements while attaching an ear tag and placing a GPS radio collar around its neck. The animal appeared to be healthy.
Scientists know very little about this bear. Since…
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