27th July 2009

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Smart bear thwarts food tubs

The BearVault 500, a “super rugged transparent polycarbonate” jug designed to keep campers’ food away from bears has been breached.

“In one corner of the Adirondacks, campers started to notice that the BearVault … was being compromised,” writes the New York Times. “First through circumstantial evidence, then from witness reports, it became clear that in most cases, the conqueror was a relatively tiny, extremely shy middle-aged black bear named Yellow-Yellow.”

Yellow-Yellow is a mere 125 pounds, and her name honors the two yellow ear tags that wildlife officials placed on her, but her size and cooperation with authorities belie her crafty ways.

She deciphered BearVault’s locking system (see graphic above) and in so doing “she has emerged as a near-mythical creature in the High Peaks region of the northeastern Adirondacks.”

Says Jamie Hogan, the BearVault company owner: “She’s quite talented.”

Tags bearsfeedingthwartingYellow-Yellow