Capture nets provide a safe method for removing immobilized bears from trees (when used properly).
To assess the likelihood that different sex and age classes of bears that use landfills would display problem behaviour following landfill closure, we conducted the McLeod Lake Landfill Grizzly Bear Behaviour Project over a 3-year period: 2000 (pre-landfill closure), 2001 and 2002 (post-landfill closure). Our study was designed to identify attributes or behaviours that may be used to predict which bears are more likely to seek out alternate human-food sources after a landfill closes, thus becoming problem bears and posing a threat to humans. If we are able to predict whether certain classes of bears are more likely to become problems than others, this knowledge could be applied during subsequent landfill closures where those bears with an
increased likelihood of posing a threat to human safety would be destroyed, while the remaining
bears would be allowed to live.
The author tested the efficacy of aversive conditioning (AC) and conditioned taste aversion (CTA) on American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Whistler, British Columbia. The study used AC (rubber bullets fired from a shotgun and marbles fired from a sling shot) in an attempt to increase bear wariness toward humans and decrease the time bears spend in human developments. Thiabendazole, an emetic with low toxicity, was used to teach bears to associate illness with specific attractants that cause human-bear conflict.
The authors believe that communication within and among agency personnel in the United States and Canada about the successes and failures of their human-bear (Ursidae) management programs will increase the effectiveness of these programs and of bear research. To communicate more effectively, they suggest agencies clearly define terms and concepts used in human-bear management and use them in a consistent manner. They constructed a human-bear management lexicon of terms and concepts using a modified Delphi method to provide a resource that facilitates more effective communication among human-bear management agencies.
This 85 page guide will provide you with a better understanding of bear behaviour and an understanding
of various techniques for responding to human-bear conflicts, including an introductory level
working knowledge of bear aversion methodology. The knowledge gained through this guide
will enable you to better understand and diffuse human-bear conflict situations in a manner that
increases safety for the public, the bear manager/police officer and bears.
Recently, the Grizzly Bear Outreach Project (GBOP) team skyped Get Bear Smart to learn more about creating bear smart communities in Washington. I'm sure many of you have the same questions, so I thought I'd provide a summary of the conversation.
During 1995–2006 research projects in Florida and Kentucky, USA, the authors captured 191 (72 F:119 M) American black bears (Ursus americanus) 251 times using modified Aldrich spring-activated snares. The modifications the authors describe is an improvement to existing snaring methods and are applicable for any snare trigger and for any species trapped using an anchored foot snare.
Keynotes address on polar bear-human conflict presented at 3rd International Bear-People Conflicts Workshop, Canmore, Alberta, Canada, November, 2009.
Although controversial, diversionary or intercept feeding can be successfully used to discourage problem bear behaviour, as well as to prevent bears from debarking trees or preying on livestock.
Occasionally, orphaned grizzly bear and, especially, black bear cubs are rescued from the wild and placed in wildlife rescue centres.
Aug 21, 2009 — Web Page: Relocation
Relocation (translocation) involves capturing an animal and releasing it in a safer or more suitable area, away from potential conflicts with humans - a good non-lethal option in busy human-use areas, but not the "silver bullet" to resolving human-bear conflicts.
Aug 18, 2009 — Web Page: Bear Dogs
Dogs can be used to shepherd bears by barking and chasing them from areas where they would come into conflict with people. Shepherding is combined with other aversive conditioning tools such as yelling, throwing stones, bear spray, and rubber bullets.
Enhancing natural habitat in areas surrounding the development may be a good way to keep bears out of busy residential areas. At the same time, bear-attractive landscaping should be removed from high conflict zones in human-use areas.
Passive bear aversion involves the delivery of an immediate deterrent caused by the action of the animal itself. This can include an electric shock upon making contact with an electric fence, triggering a motion sensor that in turn activates a siren, or releasing pepper spray by taking bait.
Aug 17, 2009 — Web Page: Tools
Both noise and physical deterrents can be used to deter bears from human-use areas. While bears may acclimated to the sound of noise deterrents, physical deterrents are most effective, especially when used with human dominance techniques.
Non-lethal bear management combines bear aversion with proactive bear management strategies such as effective waste management, education and enforcement to provide a more holistic approach.
Aug 17, 2009 — Web Page: Training
Before practicing bear aversion techniques, wildlife managers and police officers must complete a non-lethal bear management training program.
Under certain circumstances, it is necessary for wildlife managers to capture bears in order to move them out of conflict situations. This section discusses the techniques used to live trap bears.
Diversionary feeding of black bears (Ursus americanus) around campgrounds and residential areas has received little study because of concerns it might create nuisance bears and jeopardize public safety. To evaluate those concerns and assess its effectiveness in mitigating human-bear conflict, we studied diversionary feeding at a U. S. Forest Service campground/residential complex that had been a perennial focus of human-bear conflict.
