Researchers find black bear living in the Santa Monica Mountains
Biologists in Southern California believe they have found the only black bear to currently live in the Santa Monica Mountains, according to the National Parks Service. Biologists in Southern California believe they have found the only bear to currently live in the Santa Monica Mountains, according to the National Parks Service. Biologists captured and radio-collared a 210-pound black bear in a natural area of the western Santa Monica Mountains, south of the U.S. Highway 101, on April 23, the National Parks Service announced on Wednesday. MORE: Why animal conservationists believe reinstating the New Jersey bear hunt won't curb human and bear interactions The bear, dubbed "BB-12," is believed to be about 3 or 4 years old, biologists said. The nearest population of black bears is in the Santa Susana Mountains, about 50 miles north, according to the NPS. Bears have occasionally been documented in the Simi Hills and in the Santa Monica Mountains but there is no evidence of a...