Genie the black bear sleeps in as study finds milder winters are changing hibernation patterns

Milder winters may be changing black bear hibernation and reproduction patterns.

Genie the black bear at the Ecomuseum Zoo in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue wasn’t an early riser this spring.

Yet, a meta-study based on 94 studies from across North America reveals that milder winters means black bear may shorten their winter-sleep.

“Black bears in Quebec, they are able to adapt their time that they go into hibernation or out of hibernation based on the environments around them. That’s why we say that there are better signs of spring than a groundhog,” Nathalie Jreidini, Director of Education at the Ecomuseum Zoo says.

The overview published by The Ecological Study of America says the shortened hibernation state can allow more time for reproduction.

“Here in Quebec, if a bear were to reproduce, the fact that they’re not fully asleep in the winter, they can actually give birth, and they do actually give birth in the wintertime in January. That’s when they would get to their cubs, stay in the den, raise them for a few months that way until springtime is ready for them to feed,” Jreidini adds.

And more of those cubs have a 13 per cent increased chance of surviving if food sources are available due to mild temperatures.

“We do see a trend of bears reproducing at a younger age and a survival rate that is higher in the cubs,” says Jreidini.

Estimates put the black bear population in Quebec at 70,000 animals.

“From certain studies that we see that some populations are increasing. But to say that for the whole of Québec … It’s uncertain for now,” says Jreidini.

She says if you do see a bear, don’t panic. Stand your ground and definitely don’t play dead.

Hikers can always wear bear bells.

“The Ministry of Environment hasn’t suggested to do that here for Québec. But if you feel that that is a way to be safer in an area that has a lot of reported bear sightings, then that could be something that is done,” says Jreidini.

She adds that black bears are more afraid of you, than you should be of them.

“Stay away from bears. If you see a bear, specifically a mama bear with some cubs or even just a single bear walking around, don’t approach them!”

Genie here at the Ecomuseum Zoo is always available to admire - safely.