How do we prevent problems between bears and people?
- Remember that bears are clever, curious and live to eat. Bears are in a constant
search for new food sources. Once they have discovered a new food source it is extremely
difficult to keep them from returning to it. To prevent problems from starting,
never leave any kind of food for the bear to find.
- Remember that bears have an excellent sense of smell. Managing the smells
of potential bear food - including human and pet foods, garbage, grains and harvested
animals - is an essential part of preventing problems with bears.
When in bear territory, keep food and garbage in airtight containers, and store
anything that may have the smell of food or garbage away from humans and out of
the reach of bears.
- Be BearSmart. Most bear encounters can be prevented. Learn how to avoid bear
encounters and how to react if you find yourself in an unavoidable encounter with
a bear.
What is the Alberta BearSmart Program?
BearSmart is a public awareness program for people visiting, living or working in
bear territory. Our goals are to:
- Empower Albertans with the information to make safe decisions when in bear territory
- Help bear populations survive by educating people on how to prevent encounters and
how to respond appropriately in a bear encounter
- Reduce property damage caused by bears
Why is BearSmart necessary?
Human activities have become more frequent in bear territory. As a result, bear
habitats have become more fragmented and encounters between bears and humans more
common.
Encounters between bears and people may have unfortunate consequences for both the
bears and people involved:
- Bear attacks
Though quite rare, bear attacks can injure or even kill a human. If this happens,
the bear will likely be found and destroyed.
- Forced bear relocation
Bears become used to human camps, garbage dumps, residential areas, ranches and
farms when they learn these locations can provide easy meals. Once a bear gets used
to an area that is also frequented by people, the chances of a bear-human encounter
increase.
Moving and collaring problem bears doesn’t always solve the problem:
- The bear may return to the area it was removed from, and continue its problem behaviour,
or it may continue the problem behaviour in the area where it was relocated.
- Relocating the bear can place it in the territory of another bear that may lead
to the death of the relocated bear.
- Relocating a bear is costly and places a heavy demand on personnel and equipment.
Related Information
Alberta BearSmart Brochures
Web Resources
Posted: September 10, 2009
Updated: February 4, 2010