A favorite childhood memory is of trips to Yosemite National Park and seeing bears in the wild. Today, as knowledge of wildlife management has increased, the public is educated on keeping clean, food-free camps, on keeping all temptations out of sight and locked away. One may still enjoy a sighting of these magnificent animals, but more safely, as they now much less often associate humans with an easy meal.

It appears from recent reports that both Utah bears and humans have a much less enlightened opinion of each other (“State investigates second bear killing,” Tribune July 9). TV anchors breathlessly explain the dangers of a “bear who is not afraid of people,” who didn’t run when people threw rocks, yelled and even shot a gun in the air! Being at the top of the food chain, bears fear no other animal, but the real danger lies with a bear that has learned that where there are humans, there is food.

Don’t fear bears; enjoy your luck at seeing one. Keep a clean camp and observe them from a safe distance (like inside your vehicle). Once they have satisfied their curiosity, they will move on and leave you with wonderful memories.

Robin E. Beasley

Sandy