WE’RE WIRED: Any time a story hits the Associated Press wire –
look out. That’s what occurred in the last week or so when AP
picked up an Era story on the Internet buzz created over a photo of
a “creature” some have said looks like Bigfoot.

Once the wire began circulating the story it started popping up
in strange places.

Rocco Camas of Bradford tells us he watched an eight-minute
segment on this story which aired on MSNBC television news Monday
evening.

With its origin on the Internet, we expected – and saw – some
Internet followup including a story on the CBS News website. We
also had a query on Monday from a radio station in the Washington,
D.C., area.

No doubt, we’ll continue to get feedback as the story hits
newspapers across the country.

Some people believe there is no such thing as bad publicity. If
so, our tourist agency directors are probably pleased as punch.

We’ve had local input from phone calls and visitors on this
story and, later, from our Internet readers.

We’ve passed a lot of that along but one more comment, for
today, from Ronald T. Hannivig of Simpson, Pa., who identified
himself with the tagline, “Research, Investigations, Counsel.”

“I must concur with The Bradford Era’s assessment – it’s more
than likely an extremely sick, and very skinny young bear (for this
time of year) with a severe case of mange – which became quite
evident to me only upon reviewing the single published photo
accompanying their in-depth article.”

He goes on: “Personal Note: While living and working out of
Ketchikan, Alaska, circa 1959-61, black bears, except during the
winter months, were commonplace in and around the logging camps …
but I never encountered one with mange.

“However, while stationed in the Delta Region of South Viet Nam,
south of the Mekong near the Cambodian border, circa 1963, I cannot
recall ever seeing a dog within that region that did not have an
extreme case of mange.

“And, therefore, based upon my just shared personal experiences
– what clear evidence seemingly captured by the hidden camera
better be promptly addressed by those possessing veterinary
expertise and the clout to immediately take appropriate action …
rather than simply making light of the entire matter.

“In essence: Seriously address the evident condition of those
animals captured by the camera before our entire black bear
population becomes infested.”

In any case, it certainly might be worth further research.