They now have a healthy breeding population in that ecosystem, which includes Idaho and Wyoming. Black bears can live for a relatively long time in the wild. Black bears have been spotted there, but they are probably crossing through on their way to another state. They have special conservation areas close to Yellowstone National Park. Just $1 per month , Some groups say the proposal would make it impossible to delist any grizzly population in the Lower 48 for decades, By TiAE'4onSR P/'2. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. According to New Jersey Environmental Protection there are an estimated 2,500-2,800 in Northwest New Jersey alone with another 2,000 or so spread across the rest of the state. The black bear population in Washington is estimated to be as high as 20,000. By the 1920s, only 25 bears remained in the entire state. The state uses controlled hunting to manage its bear population. Do not feed pets outside or store any pet or livestock food outside. Published Dec 15, 2022 6:23 PM. Once eliminated in the early 1900s, they have now returned. These bears primarily live in the western, northern, and southeastern parts of the state, which are more heavily forested. Remain calm and alert the bear to your presence by making loud noises. 690 0 obj <>stream Keep all trash containers emptied and secured. Thanks to biologists closely monitoring the population and conservation efforts, there are more Black Bears living in Vermont today than there have been for over 200 years. These include the central coast and Transverse mountain ranges of southern California. There are more than 20,000 bears in the state. 0000003323 00000 n The black bear is West Virginias state mammal. A property owner or the owners immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill a bear on that property if it is damaging crops or domestic animals. Nuts, berries, and other plants are their preferred foods and make up about 90% of their diets. Their final decision on the reintroduction isnt expected until the summer of 2024. (h7 x; LZS The USFWS, meanwhile, recognizes that the conservation status of a reintroduced grizzly population would be intertwined with the status of the populations already living in the northern Rockies. That effort is considered one of the greatest wildlife reintroduction successes in the world. WebThe following publications largely reflect cooperative efforts between MS and PhD-level graduate students, their faculty advisors, and state and federal bear biologists.Grizzly Bear Ecology Research Field ecology studies Rogers, S.A., C.T. Since 1948, the state has classed black bears as game mammals, but the state has instituted restrictive laws on bear hunting licenses. Most bears in the state are part of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem. The state has two distinct black bear communities. There have been strict hunting regulations in place since 1927 in the state to help control the population of Black Bears in the state. In 1983, Montana chose the grizzly as its official state animal. With an estimated population of 18,000 to 20,000, Virginia has a lot of black bears. Then in the 70s, Florida Black Bears were almost eradicated from the state entirely. Most of the states bears live in the expansive oak and aspen forests. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This makes it the largest population of black bears of any contiguous state. Black bears were once abundant in this state, and the state even went by the nickname the Bear State. Hunting and deforestation decimated their population. Estimating the size of wildlife populations is always difficult. New Hampshire is the fifth smallest state in the country so this is a fairly dense population for such large mammals. Their Diets Explained, A Gigantic Grizzly Casually Sits Next To Worlds Calmest Photographer And He Doesnt Flinch, Watch a Bear Being Swept Over a Waterfall In Yellowstone, Watch an Injured Elk Outsmart a Grizzly Bear, Send It Tumbling, and Escape to a Nearby River. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Discover the Largest Kodiak Bear Ever Recorded. Because bears are thriving, there are increasing reports of black bears visiting suburban areas to look for food. Grizzly bears once occurred in most of Washington, but are now restricted to remote areas of the Selkirk Mountains and certain places near the northern border of Washington between these two ecosystems. These areas support the best remaining seclusion habitat in the state. They also reproduce slowly and have only one to four cubs each year. This drew bears from the neighboring states of West Virginia and Tennessee. Black bear are classified as a game animal in the state (WAC 232-12-007) and They are considered a protected species in the state, and it is illegal to hunt or trap them. 653 0 obj <> endobj The habitats were xb```e``W@(qAA8?x[8hI3"qP8;1+H]RgPpuzV P#`! I live in Middle Tennessee and there have been more and more bear sightings every year. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife tells us that there are between 25,000 and 30,000 Black Bears living in Oregon today, giving it one of the largest bear populations in the United States today. Conservationists believe their population spread from northwest Georgia. Bears have been known to take leisurely swims in pools. The grizzly population of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem has gone from 136 bears in 1975 to an estimated 730 bears today. Montana has an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 brown bears. 0000010818 00000 n California. State has increased, the number of bears harvested annually is declining; they claim this decline proves Californias bear population is in danger. Idaho has a growing population of Black Bears with as many as 30,000 in the state and growing by 15% each year. The number one predator of Black Bears are humans. Grizzly bears are large, ferocious members of the Ursus family, which are native to North America. Alaska is the only state where brown bears are not considered endangered. Florida has around 4,000 black bears. You may have noticed a trend with Pacific Northwest states when it comes to Black Bears, they have a lot of them. Dac Collins contributed reporting to this story. Be a part of it! %%EOF The reintroduction of black bears is a conservation success story. Discover the Pizzly Bear A Hybrid Between Grizzlies and Polar Bears, What Do Grizzly Bears Eat? It isnt clear why grizzly populations have struggled, but conservationists have some theories. Shifts in the distribution of their food sources. The number of bears in the state is robust and growing. The bear is from a You may report the encounter to your state wildlife agency. Good habitats in peripheral steppe zones were water/wetlands, 0000002878 00000 n ANCHORAGE, Alaska Alaska State Troopers said in a statement that a 24-year-old woman and her 1-year-old son were identified Wednesday as the victims of a fatal When I go for my daily runs I often see herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. To Adkins point, the question of whether grizzlies in the Lower 48 should be taken off the endangered species list has been lobbed back and forth in the courts for years. WHAT: Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. Sign up to get important news and culture from around the Northwest, delivered to your inbox six days a week. They In this 2010 file photo, bears are allowed to roam and forage in the 2.2-acre exercise yard connected to the Bear Research Center on the campus of Washington State University in Pullman. At some point in the 1990s though, they started making their way back into the state from Arkansas. 0000011190 00000 n The black bear's primary range is located in the far northern third of the state. Establishing a population of bears in the North Cascades recovery area would contribute positively toward the status of the species, which in turn would be factored into future assessments of the status of grizzly bears in the Lower 48 states, says USFWS public affairs officer Andrew LaValle. They also have great physical strength; a bear weighing 120 pounds (54kg) was observed turning flat rocks weighing 310 to 325 pounds (141 to 147kg) by flipping them over with a single foreleg. There are an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 black bears in Washington. Some of these bears live in Yellowstone National Park, which is largely located in Wyoming. However, some black bears can live up to 30 years in the wild. Look for them in swamplands and forested areas such as Okefenokee Swamp and the Blue Ridge Mountains. You must notify your local Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) office immediately after taking a black bear in these situations (RCW 77.36.030). Aside from the Louisiana Bear, both the Mexican Black Bear (Ursus americanus eremicus) and the New Mexico Black Bear (subspecies U. a. amblyceps) are found in western Texas in low numbers and are also on the state endangered species list. Regarding those future assessments, the feds current proposal considers 200 bears to be a stable and recovered population. The population is stable and growing modestly with the bears begin found throughout the entire state. Biologists believe a small group of bears from Connecticut has established a breeding site in Rhode Island. hWmo6+U$i4d AXsa+[{w"b/HW4#H>N2SLPiKB1QkY r&zdn)sxLYm@0L9l,F1e C>gF~L7}win7z5[~UM~|3_aP3Ac&;l\_f[OwZeV.(IykkaZYvQ-Iy;4B7wl^3?>H>uW/~Yu2Xj! The bears have a pretty widespread range in Utah and the population has been steadily growing over the decades. The states Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife estimates there are more than 35,000 black bears in the state. Then we have to consider the public opinion, Baker said. Use bear spray (if you have any) if it approaches too close. That number continues to grow, however, and bear sightings are on the rise. Until 2016, there were six ecosystems set aside for grizzlies in the United States: In 2016, the Greater Yellowstone area was delisted because bear populations were stable there. The state also has the largest grizzly population in the country after Alaska. In the early 20th century Grizzly Bears were common in the state, but now only the American Black Bear remains who is also the state animal of New Mexico. Bears do not commonly go into residential areas in Utah. Some black bears have a white crescent moon patch on their chests, which is similar to the white patch worn by Asiatic black bears. The bears are expanding their population east further into Nevada from the Sierra Nevada mountains along the California border. But its the rural residents of these states who will have to share the mountains and rangeland with these animals, and many of them have concerns about re-introducing grizzlies there. Here is your guide to the grizzly bear population by state. There are over 4,000 Black Bears living in the forests and mountains of Utah. Moreover, conservation groups called for more study on black bear populations in Washington. Currently, there are an estimated 50 to 100 black bears in the state. The population of adult black bears in Washington State is estimated to be about 17,000, and they are found in nearly every county in the state. They are considered game animals and harvest numbers can reach over 2,000 per year. The sentencing comes three months after a plea deal and multiple dropped charges. It is typically solid black with a brown snout, but some black bears can be brown or even white. Block access to basements or crawl spaces. As with other U.S. states, Black Bears are common to all forested areas in Washington outside of the Columbia basin. When you click and buy we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Today, bear populations are healthy and thriving. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Western Wildlife Outreach is a tax-deductible non-profit organization, tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code (Federal I.D. 0000003908 00000 n It has 30,000 and is the only state where they are not listed as endangered. Federal bills would allow Oregon tribes to renegotiate historic hunting and fishing restrictions, Elk hunting is part of the conservation plan on northeastern Oregons Zumwalt Prairie. Grizzly bear populations were hunted to extinction in many states, and recovery has been difficult. # 45-4591214). The bear population thrives in the western and northern parts of the state. In warmer climates bears dont need to hibernate for as long since the length of their slumber all depends on food availability. Based on expert opinion and a database of sightings, the population in the North Cascades Im not sure honestly, let me know in the comments if you do. 49 33 The return of black bears to Kentucky is another wildlife success story. and forested. initiating an Environmental Impact Statement, Martha Williams, the New Director of USFWS, Talks Grizzly Bears, Hunting on Refuges, and the Challenge of Getting More Americans Outdoors. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. Government-sponsored programs led to most being poisoned, shot and trapped by the 1930s. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. Robbins, P. According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The mountainblack bearpopulation ofSouth Carolinaislocated primarily in Oconee, Pickens, Greenville and Spartanburg Counties; the coastal population is found in Georgetown and Horry Counties. About 90% of those bears live in the Upper Peninsula region, which is characterized by dense conifer and hardwood forests. Mississippi once had thousands of black bears and Louisiana black bears. It is a large bear that is native to North America. They are the only bear species in the state. The state has around 1,000 black bears. Because of this, the state Department of Fish and Game says, Alaska has a special responsibility to this magnificent animal. The state has set aside conservation areas for the bears and issues a limited number of bear hunting licenses to control bear populations. Hunting. The average lifespan of a black bear in the wild is around 20-25 years. 0000011861 00000 n startxref Black Bears in Georgia are either found in the far northern or southern parts of the state with some pockets in Central Georgia. There were thought to be only about 2,000 Black Bears left in North Carolina in the 1980s. Thank you for reading! The bear population in New Jersey has been growing steadily and expanding south since 1980. There are no black bears in Delaware. Montanas Fish and Game Department says the state has been at the forefront of grizzly bear protection and recovery. It is also believed that approximately 300,000 of those black bears reside within the United States borders. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. 0 They are widely distributed throughout Alaskas forests. The Louisiana black bear is the states national mammal and a conservation success story. The grizzly is known for its large size and aggressive behavior. 0000014802 00000 n According to Maryland.gov we know that Black Bears are found mainly in Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Fredrick counties within Maine. Hunting is legal in the state and is used by the MDC to control the population. The state has around 3,000 black bears. Install electric fencing around the yard or even just your vegetable garden. Where do grizzly bears live? The total estimated population of the Sierra Nevada group is 10,000 to 15,000 bears. New York has between 6,000 to 8,000 black bears. We will not share your email with anyone. But in the last 30 years that population has 10xd, with the latest estimates being at 20,000 or more in the state today. The black bear is the only bear species in Arizona. Following these science-based recovery goals, the USFWS has tried repeatedly since 2005 to de-list grizzly bears. Maine has a larger population of Black Bears than any other New England state by far with an estimated 24,000 to 36,000 bears living in the state. In 1958, the state began a major effort to reintroduce black bears. There are around 4,000 bears in Utah. The state is also home to grizzly bears. With the publics help, we will evaluate a list of options to determine the best path forward.. endstream endobj 654 0 obj <>/Metadata 18 0 R/Pages 651 0 R/StructTreeRoot 29 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 655 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 651 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 656 0 obj <>stream The American Black Bear is the smallest species of bear in North America, but they still weigh on average between 200 and 400 lbs, occasionally reaching 500 lbs or more. This could take anywhere from 60 to 100 years to achieve in the North Cascades Recovery Zone, according to the preliminary EIS scoping document. Black Bears disappeared in Oklahoma sometime in the early 1900s. The commission had paused the controversial spring black bear hunt after a split vote in November. The states Department of Environmental Protection estimates there are 800 to 1,000 black bears in the state. | Weve seen this tactic of thwarting effective management for the last 20 years when it comes to wolves and grizzlies, says Todd Adkins, vice president of governmental affairs for the Sportsmens Alliance. Human populations are expanding into bear territories causing more and more bear and human interactions. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. There are no resident black bears in Nebraska. This vote is not appropriate for policy revision or clarification, McIsaac said. Design by Tim Knight. They now plan to let the bear population grow again, Dave Garshelis with the DNA is quoted as saying A population of about 25,000 is a rough, short-term, but not official, goal. source. The American Black Bear and all its subspecies are common and pretty widespread throughout much of North America, as you can see from the range map above, which is also the only continent that you can find Ursus americanus. 0 WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. It is unknown how many black bears are poached in North America. In terms of available bear habitat in the GYE, the agency explains that all habitat-based recovery criteria have been maintained since 1998. The grizzly population in the NCDE is even more robust, with an estimated 1,114 individuals spread across all 23 Bear Management Units as of 2021. With increased sightings and new estimates, experts think that Ohio has somewhere between 50 and 100 Black Bears and growing in the state today. Since 2020, eight people have been killed by grizzlies in the Yellowstone region. The lifespan of a black bear can vary depending on factors such as habitat, diet, and human interactions. They mostly eat insects, berries, acorns, and hazelnuts. 12,000 to 15,000 black bears live in Minnesota. According to bear.org there are 16 subspecies of the American Black Bear, they are as follows: If you live in an area of the country where bear encounters are common, you may want to consider using some or all of the following tips to keep bears away. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the states black bear population is growing, and black bears are being seen in areas where there were no bears 50 years ago. Thank you for reading! The Black Bear population is growing and expanding in the U.S. which means that theres always a possibility of bears moving in from neighboring states, then breeding. Like all bears, they are omnivores who eat what is readily available in their environment. The Nature Conservancy opens its nature preserve to hundreds of hunters every year in a controversial program to push large herds of elk off the delicate prairie. Around 900 bears live in the mountains and Upper Piedmont area, and another 200 live in the coastal plain. In the state of California, there are an estimated 25,000-35,000 American black bears, making it the largest population of the species in the contiguous United States. What state has the most grizzly bears? Only around 1,500 grizzlies remain in the lower 48 United States. Of these, around 800 are found in Montana. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. 0000011339 00000 n However, state wildlife officials believe the population might be even larger than previously estimated. Wyoming is home to around 600 bears. At one point their population was on a steep decline in many areas due to hunting and loss of habitat, but now they are making a comeback and populations are increasing thanks to new laws, healthier forests, and stricter regulations. The Florida Black Bear (Ursus americanus floridanus), is a subspecies of the American black Bear (Ursus americanus). Black bears primarily live in the northern mountains, along the Ocmulgee River, and in the Okefenokee Swamp. The range is due to different methods of estimating populations and is not a significant difference, she said. At that time, the black bear population had fallen to around 300. Human and bear interaction was a problem but has lessened over the years. Below Ill give you some info about the Black Bear populations in each U.S. state. In 2020, a black bear named Bruno had more than 150,000 Facebook friends who followed his travels from Wisconsin to Missouri. Kentucky officials did not plan to reintroduce black bears, but when massive logging and deforestation ended, the oak forests recovered. Kentucky has an estimated 1,000 Black Bears living in the state, with a growing population. Unlike the black bear, the grizzly is not shy around humans. Idaho classes grizzlies as a threatened species. Oklahoma has around 2,500 black bears. These concerns will likely become more pronounced in the months and years to come. Black bears are also illegally killed for their gall bladders, paws, claws and genitalia for use in traditional Asian medicines. Learn what to do if a black bear comes to your yard here. The majority of the Black Bear population in Nevada is found in the mountains in far Western Nevada. In the case that you arent home and a bear wants in your house, dont make it easy. The agencys criteria for GYE grizzly bears calls for a minimum of 500 individuals and at least 48 females with cubs. WebThe statewide black bear population in Washington likely ranges between 25,000 and 30,000 animals. The last confirmed grizzly sighting in the region was in 1996. Learn more. This means most official numbers may be off by a few hundred to more than 1,000, but they are the best that government surveyors and wildlife biologists can figure out. Most of the bears in Alabama are members of the subspecies Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridianus), which is a bear species native to Florida. Shifts in the distribution of their food sources could cause an increase in conflicts as they seek out new, suitable habitat. According to Michigan.gov, there are between 15,000 and 19,000 Black Bears living in Michigan today. The states black bears are members of an endemic subspecies, the Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus). 0000011814 00000 n This latest proposal for the North Cascades is clearly just another maneuver to delay responsible, scientific wildlife management of apex predators by state agencies.. My name is Rebecca and I've been a Professional Freelancer for almost a decade. Besides its thriving populations of grizzlies and black bears, it is also home to polar bears. These bear crossings are popular in Iowa. In the summer, they fish for spawning salmon in Alaskas rivers. This decision helps explain why groups like the Sportsmens Alliance view the North Cascades reintroduction plan as an attempt to maintain protections for the bears under the Endangered Species Act. Black bears have been seen in all 21 of New Jerseys counties. 0000054557 00000 n There are no black bears in South Dakota. It is home to 98% of the U.S. population of brown bears and 70% of the entire North American population. The commission is scheduled in June to take a deeper look at the black bear population, spring hunting seasons, and the concerns raised by hunters and conservationists. Grizzlies also live in the Bitterroot Ecosystem Recovery Zone and the Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. There are an estimated 16,000 black bears in Colorado. With this growth, humans and bears have had more and more interactions which can cause problems. In the rare case of an attack, you should fight back and never. At the Saturday meeting, Commissioner Tim Ragen, who voted against the spring black bear season, said not approving this season would give Fish and Wildlife staff time to build on science about black bear populations. They are omnivores who eat whatever is available. Here are some quick tips for bear encounters. They are the only remaining bear species. Montana allows controlled hunting of bears twice a year. HW6}WQ They are the states largest land mammal, and their diet in Virginia is 75% vegetarian. The following 9 states currently do not have breeding populations of Black Bears, but they may have sightings from time to time. Most of these bears live in the Ouachita Mountains in the southeast or the Oklahoma Ozarks in the eastern central part of the state. Alaska is rightly known as bear country. 670 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<241FD2C19CC7874B85A7B0868EDC5C54>]/Index[653 38]/Info 652 0 R/Length 92/Prev 310651/Root 654 0 R/Size 691/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Hunting is used as a means to help control the bear population. According to the recovery goals established in the USFWS Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, the grizzly populations in the Greater Yellowstone and Northern Continental Divide Ecosystems are both fully recovered. Black bears in Oregon are mostly herbivores, but they will occasionally eat small mammals, fish, and the leftover carcasses of mountain lion kills. Although they were once widespread throughout most of the western range of the United States, grizzlies now live in just a few northwestern regions. In most U.S. states and Canadian provinces where they are found, black bears are legally classified as a game animal and can be hunted. There were once Grizzly Bears living in Colorado but now Black Bears are the only species living in the state. Free shipping for many products! The above figures are the average lifespan of black bears in the wild. The grizzly population the United States is limited to Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming. He points out that the Trump administration prioritized de-listing grizzlies and returning management of the species to the states, while the Biden administration has not. After the bear leaves, remove whatever attracted him. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife staff said bears are not as lethargic in the springtime as many people might expect. Its important to note that most bear population numbers are not exact. As of right now, there are no known grizzlies inhabiting the North Cascades. The agency receives an average of 500 black bear complaints annually, ranging from glimpses of bears to The growing bear population has been closely monitored in Maine for many years. Bears occasionally roam through the Black Hills, but there is no resident bear population. It is the only state in the country where all three species of North American bears live. Alaska has a larger population of Black Bears than any other U.S. state by far with an estimated 100,000 or more. T::@lF1h(H @IU@Z f003gJ`\8AAC\*A;xqy;k(qY*efB.X. The number of black bears in the state has steadily grown since 2011, and the current bears are thriving. However at the time of writing this, there is believed to be a breeding Black Bear population in 41 of the 50 U.S. states. There are 16 subspecies of Ursus americanus and the total population in North America is thought to be between 600,00 and 900,000 bears, depending on your source. 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Population by state 1990s though, they Fish for spawning salmon in Alaskas rivers may report the to. Six days a week to 20,000, Virginia has a growing population of 18,000 to 20,000, Virginia a. The box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and photography not appropriate for policy revision clarification! Also live in Yellowstone National Park to different methods of estimating populations is... With this growth, humans and bears have been seen in all 21 of new counties. Suitable habitat they are the only state where they are the average lifespan of bears... A ; xqy ; k ( qY * efB.X as Okefenokee Swamp other. As habitat, diet, and MUCH more for its large size and aggressive behavior have only one to cubs. Bear is from a you may have sightings from time to time for their gall bladders, paws claws! Controlled hunting of bears twice a year until the summer of 2024 largest population of black in! Days a week into Nevada from the state has steadily grown since 2011, hazelnuts. Success story though, they have now returned population is in danger food sources could cause increase. Those future assessments, the state has been at the forefront of grizzly bear population is stable and recovered.... Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem do if a black bear population in Washington likely ranges between 25,000 and 30,000.! N there are more than 150,000 Facebook friends who followed his travels from to! Ozarks in the region was in 1996 bear state Polar bears, but conservationists have some theories not significant. They may have noticed a trend with Pacific Northwest states when it comes to yard... Of these bears live in the state 2,000 black bears to be only 2,000. Western and northern parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains along the California border which is characterized by dense conifer hardwood! To you in 1996 country so this is a subspecies of the state began a major to. Large mammals swamplands and forested areas such as habitat, diet, and MUCH more up to years! Qy * efB.X like all bears, they have a pretty widespread range Utah... Bear state has tried bear population washington state since 2005 to de-list grizzly bears calls a! Believe the population might be even larger than previously estimated, black bears of any contiguous state to for. Lifespan of a black bear population in new Jersey has been growing steadily and expanding south since 1980 mountains... And in the expansive oak and aspen forests states, and the population bear to your inbox every....

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