Early this morning I received a text from Kati Krouse from the Texas Black Bear Alliance and Bears Etc. about an alleged bear roadkill in Jefferson County.
A member of a jeep group on Facebook shared a photo of a fairly mangled black animal hit near the tank farms between Port Neches and Beaumont.
Kati wanted to know if I could go check out the situation since I only live 20 minutes away.
So, I took care of a few things at home and drove over to the area.
It took me a couple of passes but I eventually found a dead animal in some taller grass.
Walking up to the carcass I wasn’t sure what I was looking at but upon further inspection I concluded it was a dog. The photo below is what i looked like when I walked upon it. It had obviously been hit again or chewed on by scavengers since the photo shown on Facebook was taken.
There was no tail visible at first but when I moved the back side, there was a long tail tucked under the body so I pulled it out to photograph. I put this shot in there so you could see tail and also that it was in the area of the tank farms. Black bears technically have tails but they are 3-5-inches long. This tail was at least four times that length.
Here’s another shot so you can see the clear dog foot pad.
Here’s another shot of the feet.
I don’t slight someone for misidentifying a mangled animal road-killed at night. It happens and I don’t think anyone here had intentions of misleading people.
Is it possible there was another animal road-killed there that was already confiscated by wildlife officials or that I didn’t see? Yes, but it’s highly unlikley.
What I saw was a dog with a few bear-like features .
But it brings up the greater point that black bears are returning to Texas in a big way.
On a recent episode of the Higher Calling Wildlife podcast, I talk about a bear that was photographed over a decade ago near Bay City and the amazing journey it would have taken to make it there from known bear migration routes.
And I also ask if there could be small but relatively hidden bear populations along the coast.
If you have any photos or videos of bears anywhere in Texas or in Louisiana email me at chester@chestermoore.com.
I would love to share it to raise awareness to the issue.
Speaking of awareness raising, Kati Krouse is doing a talk on black bears in Texas for the Golden Triangle Audubon Society March 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Beaumont Arboretum.
Onto the next investigation…
Chester Moore
Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show
Mark your calendars for the Acadiana Boat, Sport & RV Show. Connect with everything from new boats to fish equipment and guided fishing trips. Check it out at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino March 22-24.
Follow Chester Moore and Higher Calling Wildlife® on the following social media platforms
@thechestermoore on Instagram
Higher Calling Wildlife on Facebook
Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.
Subscribe to the Dark Outdoors and Higher Calling Wildlife podcasts on all major podcasting platforms.