Black bear mange sightings on rise in Southwest Virginia<\/b><\/p>\n
Black bear sightings are at their peak in Southwest Virginia, but many of the bears turning up this season aren\u2019t looking like their usual selves. A growing number of bears are being spotted without hair, visibly underweight and in poor condition \u2014 and 10 News viewers are taking notice.<\/p>\n
The station has received an outpouring of emails from viewers sharing photos and videos of the ailing animals, raising public concern about the health of the local bear population.<\/p>\n
What is mange?<\/b><\/p>\n
Mange, a skin disease caused by microscopic mites, is behind the troubling appearances. Katie Martin, a bear biologist with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, explained how it works.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is caused by a little microscopic mite that will actually burrow under the skin and just causes this really intense itching, sometimes crusty skin, the hair can fall out,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
This photo was taken by Cynthia Dohnal in Cave Spring and shows a Black Bear with mange visiting her bird feeder. (WSLS)<\/p>\n
Where it\u2019s hitting hardest<\/b><\/p>\n
Southwest Virginia is seeing some of the highest concentrations of mange cases in the state. Martin reports the issue is especially prevalent in Roanoke, Franklin and Montgomery counties.<\/p>\n
10 News will have more reporting on this story Monday and will include what Martin said is being done about the issue and how the public can help.<\/p>\n
She said to contact DWR Wildlife Conflict Helpline for issues with bears or sightings of mange:<\/p>\n