Don't tell the Immigration authorities, but Postville, Iowa -- the site of a recent raid
by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- may be hosting a few other undocumented visitors. There is reason to believe that black bears may be in the area ... and they “have no legal status in Iowa" according to the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR). I assume this is because the governor’s office is hesitant to grant them the full rights of citizenship. After all, they have indicated a reluctance to learn English, the official state language.
According to one news report, Iowa Bear Sightings Begin to Add Up, “There have been 11 reported sightings of a bear along Mudd Creek on the southern edge of North Liberty over the past two days.”
Another account, from the Iowa City Press-Citizen, tells of a single sighting and includes observations from DNR spokesman Joe Wilkinson about it. “If it was wild,” the article noted, “Wilkinson said the bear was likely a black bear, which once were native to Iowa. He said the bear could have wandered down from Wisconsin or Minnesota, adding bears have been spotted in Allamakee, Postville and near Dubuque.”
Bears in Iowa! Could it be true? Iowa ... the state noted more for endless fields of corn and soybeans than it's wilderness areas? But then again, Allamakee County, home to Postville, does boast of it's natural setting. And bears have been here before!
According to a 2007 DNR report, “Most present-day Iowans probably associate black bears with some of our large national parks and do not realize that they once occurred in Iowa.”
How true! Who knew that my dream of sighting a real live bear was so close!
The report continues, “When the settlers reached Iowa, they found [bears] widespread throughout the state ... Bears were killed because they would damage crops, harass and kill livestock, and because they were valuable both as food and for their hides.
“Currently, the nearest established wild populations of black bears are in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and southern Missouri. These populations are expanding their range towards Iowa from both the north and south.”
Hmmm! It seems that yesterday's skepticism was ill-founded. How is it that I so easily dismiss the possibilities in my own backyard while casting my gaze into the distance? Why do I overlook history when accepting status quo? Certainly reality is transitory. So don't let me tell you that I'm a realist: I still see what I expect to see! And now I expect to see bears ... in Iowa!
Stumble It!
I've just bought my first "Winnie" books for my little'un... at only 3 weeks till the due date, the excitement is reaching monumental proportions! :)))
Posted by: pepsoid | June 05, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Pepsoid, too funny! Your comment just made me realize that I have a niece that loves bears also ... And right now I'm trying to figure out how mature she is. I don't want her running off into the woods and finding danger! Chances are that any bear she runs into won't be as zen as Winnie!
Posted by: Brenda | June 03, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Wonderful! :-)
Do you think if I “expect” it hard enough, I might see bears here in the good old U of K? Actually, hang on, wait a minute, what’s that sitting on the shelf above the *baby-pending* cot…??!
Oh, it’s just a “Pooh” by the name of Winnie… ;-)
Posted by: pepsoid | June 02, 2008 at 10:08 AM
Durano, I'm glad your brought up the safety issue! You're correct ... bears, perhaps more than any other wild animal here in the States, provide a real safety concern. But I've seen stuffed and mounted bears (seriously) and I find that appalling. And, truth be told, I'm not much more comfortable seeing animals in zoos. I'm too much of a free spirit I suppose. Anyway, thanks for your comment!
Posted by: Brenda | June 02, 2008 at 07:45 AM
Hi Brenda,
I'm sure you know bears are furry and look cute and cuddly, but they are dangerous animals that could tear you apart. They can run fast too despite their size and heft.
Is it a bear in the wild you want to see? The ones in zoos are not the same?
It's funny but I feel the same way about the monkey eating eagle in the Philippines. I've seen a couple in zoos but there is nothing compared to the majesty they possess when they are in their natural habitat, and the terror that they elicit from their prey. It's very difficult to get to their natural environment, but we did so anyway, to satisfy an inner need I cannot fully explain.
In this sense, I can understand your desire to see a bear in your backyard. :-) --Durano, done!
Posted by: durano lawayan | June 02, 2008 at 02:15 AM