Before the sun was even up we came upon a black bear sow and her cub grazing in a meadow. The sow appeared to be teaching the cub how to find grubs and other insects by turning over, and breaking apart, a rotten log...
While the cub was occupied with the wood, the sow tried to slip away...
The ploy didn't work and the cub was soon following her again...
This was when the sow took harsher steps to let the cub know it was time for it to start a new life. She suddenly whirled about and began cuffing the surprised cub with claws extended...
The cub had no choice except to run or continue taking a thrashing...
The sow pursued the cub for several yards and then suddenly changed course, running at full speed. She was probably hoping to leave the confused cub behind. While we watched, her efforts were to no avail. Even after the treatment it received the cub was determined to follow its mother...
The sow ran over a rise with the cub following close behind...
This harsh scenario is played out thousands of times each year. The sow will continue tormenting the cub until it finally decides life would be better elsewhere.
Observing wildlife interactions such as this are a major part of our motivation to visit Yellowstone as often as possible...
Thanks for visiting, be well and remember that a photograph not shared is a photograph wasted.
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