SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A bear cub seen wondering near the Heber City Airport was safely captured by authorities.
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said the cub appeared to be lost and confused and it’s mama bear was no where to be found.
With the help from deputies, the Department of Natural Resources and Animal Control, the cub was safely captured without injury and was in “good hands,” officials said.
Bear sightings have been on the rise across Utah. In late August, state agencies said they had responded to 168 bear incidents compared to the 83 incidents in all of 2025.
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Officials attributed the increase in sightings to warmer spring weather conditions followed by harsh freezes. The dramatic shift in temperatures impacted root-like vegetation, which makes up 90% of a black bears diet.
The Department of Wildlife Resources previously said the department only euthanizes if bears act aggressively, show little fear of people, continually return to populated areas or cause significant damage. Wildlife officials may also euthanize a bear if its it is in poor health or if its chance of survival was low.
It is currently unclear what the condition was of the bear cub found near the Heber City Airport.
The Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said that the cub’s situation was “being evaluated,” but did not provide any further information about what may become of the lost little bear.
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