1.   Such attacks are exceedingly rare in New Mexico, even with the rising number of bear encounters with humans.

2.   That verges on religion, but something meaningful often does happen in bear encounters.

3.   Bear encounters have been up this year, mostly due to a hot, dry summer that has dramatically reduced the berry harvest.

4.   Erikson predicted residents in the northern half of the state could expect many more bear encounters until hot summer weather slows the animals down.