The DWR website has a lot of pictures of bears with mange. I hope this info helps you know more about mange. Since 2014, DWR has been monitoring reports of sarcoptic mange in Virginia’s black bears. Mange is a highly contagious skin disease caused by a mite that affects many wild and domestic animals. From 2014 to 2017, reports were sporadic and primarily focused in the northwestern mountain counties of Frederick and Shenandoah.

How Does Mange Spread Between Bears? Mange is a highly contagious skin disease, caused by a mite, which affects many wild and domestic mammals. DWR is actively working to understand the disease and the mite that is causing this disease in Virginia’s bear population.

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