Where exactly does wildlife management in your community begin? The answer might be surprising. It begins before an animal, bear or otherwise, has even placed a paw within the community. Many may believe a call to the local conservation officer is the first step to managing urban wildlife conflict, when in fact earlier preventative management practices are the key.
The first step begins with you. Every resident in the community is a “wildlife manager” and responsible for managing wildlife attractants on their property. Have a look at your backyard; is there anything that may invite a bear onto your property and into your neighbourhood? Are there fruit trees that need harvesting? Does your garbage need to be in a secure building until the morning of pick up? Is the pet food outside? Do you only use your birdfeeder during the winter months? Do your neighbours need professional help managing their attractants? These proactive measures will help prevent bears from ever becoming interested in your neighbourhood.
Historically, the problem of human-bear conflict in urban centers has been mainly reactive, usually ending in the destruction of the bear (Davis et al, 2002). Bears are resilient food generalists and easily adapt to human environments, significantly increasing the risk to public safety. Rapidly increasing populations of food-conditioned bears due to human mismanagement of bear attractants predominantly contribute to the ineffective solution of lethal bear management. Community residents are the primary “wildlife manager’s of urban bears and, when educated, have the ability to proactively mange this problem upon inception.
In addition to the individual effort, residents can find wildlife management support from various sources in their community. Local Bear Smart programs are largely focused on providing public education through community presentations and individual communications. In addition, Bear Smart committee members work in partnership with municipal governments and other stakeholders to develop “Bear Smart” Community regulations, consistent educational programs and attractant management projects such as fruit harvesting.
Your actions do make a difference. It may be a cliché, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
To report any wildlife-human interactions where public safety may be at risk, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277)
Information provided by Christina Brack, Bear Smart BC Society Volunteer and Crystal McMillan, Executive Director Bear Smart BC Society
For more information on how to bear-proof your campsite & home property or to volunteer with the Bear Smart in your community contact:
Dawn Boyce [email protected] or
Christina Brack 250-723-9200 [email protected]
For more information on the Ministry of Environment Bear Smart Community Program or the Bear Smart BC Society please call:
Crystal McMillan at 250-266-(BEAR) 2327
[email protected]