How many bears did the Arizona Game and Fish handle statewide?
This was a record year for bear problems in Arizona. The Department handled over 130 bears throughout the State. Region VI, which encompasses central Arizona, handled 48 bears. Can we expect this influx of bears next summer? No, it was a unique set of circumstances that brought the bears to the Valley. This is the first time it has happened in recorded history and there is no reason to think that it will happen again during our lifetime. Why did some bears go to rehabilitation centers while others were released? Bears that were in too poor of condition to release or were too small were sent to rehabilitation centers until they achieved sufficient size or health to be released. Six of the 18 bears captured in the valley were sent to rehab centers. If only six of the 18 bears captured in Phoenix were sent to rehab centers, how come there were 15 bears at Southwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center? Because bears were sent to Southwest Wildlife from all over the State, not just the Phoenix a
