Utah's black bears are venturing into populated areas this year more than in any other. In fact, the Division of Wildlife Resources has responded to twice as many bear calls as in all of 2025 and euthanized 56% more bears than it did last year.
Extreme weather is driving more bears into Utah cities to look for food. Many of them are being euthanized.
Utah News spotted this story published August 28, 2026 at Salt Lake Tribune. Full coverage may follow as more sources report.