It's official, it was a black bear, and a male at that.

 It's official, it was a black bear, and and a male at that.

The wheels of justice and science both turn slowly, but they do turn. The black bear does not yet have justice in Iowa, not yet. But the science is in and the scat I collected in May of 2022 was finally confirmed through genetic testing to be a black bear (Ursus americana) and a male of the species. The report, dated 15 February 2024, came from the Laboratory for Ecological Evolutionary and Conservation Genetics at the University of Idaho. Proof!

What's next? What is next is keeping an eye open for reports this spring to make additional scat or hair collections. With a database of genetic markers, biologists will able be to point out source populations. With a source population and known Iowa locations, I foresee the commissioning of a geographical study to predict routes into and through Iowa. Predictable routes will help focus education and observation energies.

This confirmation is a big deal. Scientifically validated observations and data are keys for actions in the US system. Forward!