Studies prove that habituated bears have a shorter life span than wild bears.
This is due to greater risks of automobile accidents, poaching, poisoning and many other hazards associated with humans. To prevent the risk of habituation, the Appalachian Bear Center has taken a number of precautionary measures necessary to reduce the human element. Here are the four main steps we take when rehabilitating a bear . . . Provide the most natural environment possible. Since all the bears accepted at the Center are destined to be returned to the wild, the ABC tries to provide a setting for them that is as natural as possible.