Bear still active in garbage, Soapstone Campground remains closed
Jul 27, 2024, 7:00 AM
FILE — Signs are being placed to remind Utahns to store their food and keep their campsites clean. (Utah's DNR)
(Utah's DNR)
KAMAS, Utah — Utah’s Soapstone Campground remains closed to humans because it remains an active area for at least one bear.
On Tuesday, the National Forest Service informed the Utah Department of Natural Resources that a bear was in the area and got into the trash at a couple of campsites and several dumpsters at the campground in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Faith Heaton Jolley said biologist placed two barrel traps and trail cameras in the area, hoping to catch the animal. So far the bear has not been captured and hasn’t been recorded by the cameras, but there is still evidence of a bear in the area’s dumpsters.
The bear was in the campground again Thursday, getting into food in the dumpsters instead of going near baited traps, according to Jolley. The U.S. Forest Service is working to empty the dumpsters and Jolley said biologists are hopeful the animal can be trapped and relocated.
The only species of bear in Utah are black bears. They live in the areas where humans camp, live and participate in other outdoor activities. According to DNR, 80% of Utah’s bears are found at elevations between 7,000 and 10,000 feet. It also states that bears will eat almost anything. Typically they avoid contact with humans.
