New cave installed for bears

PULLMAN – The Washington State University Bear Research, Education, and Conservation Center has a new man-made cave, giving the bears something novel to explore in their exercise yard.

"Our bears enjoy digging dens in the yard," said Brandon Hutzenbiler, the manager at the center. "But they always collapse, so we figured we'd give them something permanent."

He hopes the bears will use it as another place to escape the weather, get some privacy or play.

"In the heat of summer, this should give them a location that's a little cooler," Hutzenbiler said. "We'll put in some straw and make it as com...