I don't mean to go off on a rant here, but ...
... if you're off to Yellowstone, you're going to have to realize that the animals were there first. And certainly no disrespect to the families of those who were mauled, but let it be known that you must pack your bear spray, follow all of the protocols and be ever vigilant. This year -- even more so, thanks to a dearth of pine nuts.
Ecosystem 101 (OR how global warming's actually at fault) -- Cones grown on the pine trees. Hungry squirrels knock them down and take out the pine nuts, burying them underground. Grizzlies come along and steal the pine nuts from the squirrels. And, since the squirrels never get to about 30% of the nuts they buried, new trees grow for the next cycle ... when there will be more cones grown on pine trees.
Except -- there's a new wrinkle in this tale. With a rise in temperature, winters aren't as freezing as they once were and pine-tree eating beetles have decimated the growth of these stands of trees. Which means there's less of everything to go around for everyone. And hungry bears with their cubs needing to pack on extra meat for hibernation are going to turn to the next best thing -- which might be you if you're not careful!
So -- enjoy the beauty of nature (but make sure you understand your place in the food chain this fall)!
WARNING! HUNGRY GRIZZLIES THIS FALL COMING TO A YELLOWSTONE NEAR YOU!:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/08/22/tech/main6795251.shtml
GRIZZLY BEAR PROTECTION TIPS FROM KIDS IN MONTANA:
http://montanakids.com/plants_and_animals/animals/grizzly_bears.htm
PUT THE WHITEBARK PINE ON THE ENDANGERED LIST?:
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/a_casualty_of_global_warming_m.html
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