The Problem:
In B.C., an average of 905 black bears and 49 grizzlies are destroyed
by Conservation Officers every year because they are considered
a 'nuisance'. Hunters shoot another 4,000 bears, and an
unknown number are killed by poachers, ranchers/farmers
and vehicle accidents.
The Solution:
It is a goal of the Get Bear Smart Society to ensure bear-proof
waste systems; as well as to minimize backyard attractants
by improving public education and awareness of bears. By
replacing ignorance with understanding and respect, we strive
for people to be more tolerant and more likely to take the
appropriate steps towards human-bear co-existence. Without
awareness and education, people sometimes provoke unintended
consequences. 'Conflict'
bears are often the product of human carelessness and
indifference. Unfortunately, it is the bear that carries
the burden of human lessons learned too late. Bears that
come into frequent contact with people are often destroyed,
not for what they have done, but for what people are afraid
they might do. Very few bears are destroyed because of an
actual threat to human safety.
Most B.C. residents either live or recreate
in bear country, causing concern for the safety of both
people and bears. Since 'conflict' bear behaviour is almost
always associated with the availability of non-natural attractants
(like birdseed, pet food and compost), a logical solution
is to limit the bear's reliance on human food sources. Such
a proactive approach requires increased public awareness
and understanding through education and enforcement programs.
We must also limit the availability of garbage by bear-proofing
waste containment and electrifying our landfills. By limiting
the source of the problem, we can reduce the number of negative
human-bear conflicts and dramatically reduce the number
of bears destroyed.
Even with the best educational programs and rigorous enforcement,
there will always be situations when bears end up in human
settlements. Natural food shortages or social conflicts
within a bear's home range can lead to bears wandering beyond
their natural habitat into residential neighbourhoods. We
need to have non-lethal alternatives to deal with these
potential 'conflict' situations.
Our Non-lethal
Bear Management program uses proven techniques to correct
'undesirable' bear behaviour without destroying the animal.
By using the officer's human dominance (posturing and vocal
commands) and an arsenal of rubber bullets, pyrotechnics
and bear pepper spray, conlfict bears are taught to stay
away from people and their property.
Community involvement is an integral part
of the program. It is not possible for a community to coexist
with bears unless people and bears BOTH respect each other's
boundaries.
Communities can be porous to bear activity, so that bears
can pass through but avoid human-bear conflict situations.
The often irresistible connection between man and nature
can lead to people befriending wild animals. In the careful
balance of coexistence, human contact, and particularly
feeding, can lead to brash and bold bear behaviour. Bears
learn to take liberties that most wild animals never would,
engaging openly with people and often crossing a dangerous
line. Close contact with bears, all too often, leads to
trouble.
Baiting
bears with a food reward teaches bears to cross boundaries
of unacceptable behaviour and increases the potential for
conflict situations. It changes the bear's attitude and
alters its position in the hierarchy of the community.
Residents should not let bears feel comfortable close to
their homes or property (see Bear
Safety at Home section for more information). Bears
that are intentionally or unintentionally fed by humans
become accustomed to being around people and are more likely
to get into trouble causing property damage. Occasionally,
a fed bear, particularly a hand-fed bear, will become assertive
in seeking more food and may injure a person.
Bears that become comfortable near people
and built-up areas are also more likely to be involved in
a vehicle accident, possibly causing injury or death to
both the people in the vehicle and the bear.
We have proven that we can co-exist with bears by managing
attractants and using non-lethal tools to teach bears the
limits of undesirable behaviour. Bears can be taught that
certain behaviours are unacceptable and will not be tolerated
by humans. The Non-lethal Black Bear Management program
(see
that section for more information) re-establishes human
boundaries and human territory.
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