DALLAS - The animal staring back at him from inside the culvert trap "looked like a hyena" according to Carbon County wildlife conservation officer Cory Bentzoni. The small male bear was almost hairless with brown leathery skin, protruding hip bones, and eyes mostly vacant.

The animal was lethargic and weak, likely suffering.At least three small bears with significant hair loss and traveling together have recently been reported by several residents of Penn Forest Township. Bentzoni had originally set the trap in an effort to capture a local bear with a plastic bird feeder stuck on his head. He did not expect to see a bear suffering from the advanced stages of mange.Mange is a highly contagious skin disease of many wild and domestic mammals caused by a microscopic mite. Mites burrow and form tunnels under the skin of the bear while depositing eggs, leaving behind dead skin and feces. This foreign matter triggers an allergic response as the body tries to fight off foreign substances.Bears with mange lose hair in affected areas and may scratch and rub against trees, trying to relieve itching. As the disease progresses, scabs and lesions on exposed skin develop, which may lead to secondary infections. A bear may develop a foul odor. Advanced cases ultimately lead to death as the animal becomes malnourished and overwhelmed with infection.Mange in Pennsylvania black bears first showed up sporadically during the 1980s in south-central Pennsylvania and began moving north and eastward. It has been observed more regularly in the past two decades, particularly in north-central counties. The prevalence of mange in northeastern counties has been low so far, but a number of cases discovered recently is causing concern among agency personnel.Disease transmission can be caused by mites being transferred from one bear to another through direct physical contact. Mites that fall off a bear may persist in the environment for several days and attach to a new host as the bear rubs against a tree, bird-feeder post or other surface.The mite that causes disease in black bears (Sarcoptes scabiei) is thought to be species specific and, although people may become infected, disease in humans is usually mild, short-lived and self-limiting.Wildlife conservation officers throughout Pennsylvania trap bears to address nuisance problems and for research purposes. Captured bears that are exhibiting mild to moderate signs of mange are treated with an injectable pharmaceutical with some success.Pike County wildlife conservation officer Mark Kropa said he treated a trapped bear a few years ago that had early-stage symptoms."The pregnant sow bear had hair loss around the face and sides of the body. It was treated and radio-collared for research," Kropa said. "When we checked her in the den in March, she had a rich coat and three healthy cubs."Several recent mange cases that affected bears in Monroe and Carbon counties have been advanced, resulting in the bears being euthanized due to the severity of the disease. Successful treatment with anti-parasitic medication is largely unsuccessful when mange affects more than 50 percent of the bear's body."The spread of mange can be reduced by people removing food sources that may cause bears to congregate in an area," said game commission ne region biologist Kevin Wenner."Congregating wildlife greatly increases the chance of spreading mange and other wildlife diseases."Game Commission regulations prohibit the intentional feeding of bears or intentionally placing food items in an area that cause bears to congregate.Keeping trash inside until trash day, and removing bird feeders or feed stations that may attract bears are additional steps that can help reduce physical contact among bears.The public can also help by notifying the game commission of any bears observed with obvious hair loss, allowing wildlife conservation officers to assess individual cases.Officer Bentzoni soon reset his bear trap at the same location where he captured the young male bear with mange. With remnants of the plastic bird feeder still attached to its head, a nursing sow entered the trap that was baited with doughnuts and, after giving the trigger mechanism a tug, the door swung closed.The bear was anesthetized and wire clippers were used to remove a plastic band wrapped tightly around her neck. After conducting a physical examination, collecting biological data and fitting the bear with two ear-tags, the officer released the bear to rejoin her cub and the two ambled back into the woods."We help wildlife out when we can," Bentzoni said. "Bears with mange can be successfully treated if the disease is in early stages but, unfortunately, dispatching the animal may be the only option in more severe cases."