LJUBLJANA, Slovenia, Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Most bears slow their metabolism and go into a deep slumber for most of the winter, but not all bear hibernations last the same amount of time. New research suggests the availability of human food is linked with shorter hibernation times.
In Slovenia, bear feeding is a popular strategy. Corn is used to lured bears to hunting grounds and away from human settlements. Researchers from the University of Ljubljana found bears living near areas featuring corn feeding hibernated for shorter periods of time.