Bear meat often contains parasites like trichinella worms. This is because bears are omnivores and can ingest worms or larvae from other infected animals they eat. When humans eat undercooked bear meat, they can become infected with these parasites.
How do bears get worms?
Bears get worms and other parasites in a few key ways:
- Eating infected meat – Bears eat other animals like rodents, fish, and deer. If these prey animals have trichinella or other worms, the bear can become infected when eating their raw flesh.
- Scavenging carcasses – Bears often scavenge for food, eating decaying carcasses of other animals. These carcasses may harbor worm larvae.
- Ingesting feces or contaminated soil – Parasite eggs and larvae can persist in feces and soil. A bear could accidentally consume these while grooming or foraging.
- Nursing from mother – Baby cubs can get worms from drinking an infected mother’s milk.
Because of their varied diet and tendency to scavenge, bears are prone to picking up all sorts of internal parasites throughout their lives.
What types of worms are commonly found in bears?
Here are some of the most common worm parasites found in bears:
- Trichinella – This roundworm causes trichinosis and is the most dangerous parasite in bear meat. Bear infection rates range from 30-70%.
- Baylisascaris – A type of roundworm that bears excrete in feces. Can cause severe infection in humans.
- Toxoplasma gondii – A protozoan parasite that reproduces in the bear’s intestines.
- Dirofilaria ursi – A hairworm that lives under a bear’s skin and causes nasty swelling.
- Echinococcus granulosus – A tapeworm that forms large cysts in bear organs like lungs.
The trichinella worm is the most problematic for humans, as it can cause disease if bear meat is eaten raw or undercooked.
How are humans infected from bear meat?
Humans can pick up parasitic worms and other pathogens from bears by:
- Eating undercooked bear meat containing worm larvae
- Handling bear hides or feces and inadvertently transferring bacteria or eggs
- Eating food contaminated by juices from raw bear meat
- Drinking water contaminated by feces with worm eggs
Once inside a human, the worms or their larvae can migrate through tissues, reproduce, and cause damage. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, fever, muscle pain, neurological issues, and in severe cases, death.
How common is trichinosis from bears?
Trichinosis infection rates vary by region and testing methods:
- Alaska:
- Grizzly bears – 25-40% infected
- Black bears – 11-18% infected
- Montana: Up to 69% of black bears infected
- Wyoming: Up to 28% of black bears infected
- British Columbia: Up to 70% of black bears infected
In areas with high bear infection rates, it’s recommended to thoroughly cook all bear meat to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) to kill any parasites or larvae.
How can you tell if bear meat has worms?
It can be difficult to determine if raw bear meat contains worms, but here are some signs:
- Small white specks or strands in the meat – can indicate worm larvae
- Unusual bumps, inflammation, or pockets under the hide or in the meat – may be parasite cysts
- Discoloration of the flesh – possible indicator of infection
- A bear carcass with visible organ damage – could signal heavy parasite load
The only way to be 100% certain is to have the meat tested in a lab. But if in doubt, it’s best to thoroughly cook all bear meat as a precaution.
How to cook bear meat safely
To kill trichinella, baylisascaris and other parasites, bear meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C). Here are some tips for safe preparation:
- Use a meat thermometer to verify internal temperature.
- Slow cook roasts and steaks to at least medium doneness.
- Cook ground meat thoroughly until browned throughout.
- Stir-fry or fry bear meat into dishes at high heat.
- Cure meats like sausage or jerky at 130°F for over 112 minutes.
Freezing can also kill parasites, but may not be 100% effective. Heating to proper temperatures is the only sure way to kill all worms and larvae.
Conclusion
Bear meat often harbors parasites like trichinella due to the bear’s wild diet and habits. Humans can get sick from eating undercooked contaminated bear meat. Always cook game meats like bear to an internal temperature of 160°F. Freezing may reduce but not eliminate all risk. When uncertain, it’s safest to thoroughly cook all bear meat as a precaution against parasitic worms.