The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has equipped black bear sows with radio collars to help with finding new homes for orphaned cubs.
The Grand Rapids Press reports the collars are used so wildlife officials can track down denned sows in case orphaned cubs are found.
Department wildlife biologist Mark Boersen says female bears can be tricked into taking more cubs "if it's done right."
He says putting orphaned cubs with adoptive mothers provides their best chance of surviving.
Boersen has collared several bears this winter.
He counts on landowners and hunters to tell him about bear dens, including one that was found after a logger who lives in northern Michigan's Presque Isle County saw a bear before it hibernated.
