In an effort to counter the seemingly endless hysteria surrounding bears and bear attacks, WSPA is relaunching our Bear Safe campaign this spring. Bear Safe aims to keep both people and bears safe by teaching people how to prevent unwanted bear encounters. Chock full of practical tips, Bear Safe attempts to tackle the problem of nuisance bears by dealing with the human behaviour that brings people and bears into conflict.

Since 1997, when the program was first launched more than 50,000 copies of our Bear Safe safety guide have found their way into the hands of hikers, campers, cottagers and rural homeowners across Canada.

Bears are not the cute, cuddly teddy bears of nursery rhymes and fairy tales. But neither are they slavering man-eaters depicted in outdoor magazines. In spite of the media hyperbole that surrounds them, bear attacks are still extremely rare. Most bears will avoid people if given the chance. In Algonquin Park, for example, between 1978 and 1991, the years in which the park's two fatal bear attacks occurred, the park had more than 8 million visitors, most of whom never even saw a bear.

The other important thing to remember is that so-called "nuisance" or "problem" bears aren't bred, they're made. Carelessly stored food, garbage, even barbecue grease can all attract bears and keep them coming back. The problem can easily be removed by eliminating the source of the attraction. But too often, people resort to shooting bears.

WSPA's Bear Safe guide is available free-of-charge to the public.

 

A bear is considered a problem when it becomes used to finding food in areas where people live. Carelessly stored food, garbage, even barbecue grease can all attract bears and keep them coming back. The problem can easily be removed by eliminating the source of the attraction. But all to often, the bear is needlessly destroyed.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) has launched Bear Safe to prevent such a tragic loss of animal life. Bear Safe is a public education campaign aimed at reducing the large number of problem bears killed each year. Remember, problem bears aren't born, they're made.

You can help. Becoming Bear Safe is as easy as following the simple steps outlined in this safety guide. By learning about bears, you can anticipate and avoid negative encounters. Spotting a bear outside your home or cottage, or while hiking along some back country trail, can be terrifying to some and delightful to others. The best approach in either case is to play it safe. Never approach a bear and never feed them. If you have taken precautions, the bear should find nothing of interest and move on.

 

Three species of bears are found in Canada. The most common is the American black bear (Ursus americanus). The black bear is found in all provinces and territories in Canada except for Prince Edward Island. The grizzly or brown bear (Ursus arctos), is found in B.C., Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) habitats the remote northern regions of Canada. This brochure concentrates on the two species you are most likely to encounter: the black bear and the grizzly bear.

Black bears and grizzly bears are hard to distinguish by colour. Black bears can vary in colour from black, blue-black, dark brown, brown, cinnamon right through to white. Grizzlies, likewise, may range in colour from black to blond.

Bears are omnivorous, meaning they eat animal and vegetable matter. Their natural diet is mainly vegetarian and includes: leaves, berries, grasses, roots, insects, fish, carrion and occasionally mammals such as deer and moose. Bears are attracted to, and will eat and enjoy many of the same foods humans eat.

The grizzly bear has a pronounced shoulder hump, a concave or "dished" facial profile and much larger claws than the black bear.
Black bears have a flatter, "Roman-nosed" profile and no pronounced shoulder hump.

Bears have insatiable appetites. They require large quantities of food to prevent starvation during hibernation and to produce offspring. When food is scarce, bears may travel hundreds of kilometres sometimes coming in contact with human settlements.

Bears generally avoid humans. However, a hungry bear will enter a backyard or campground if lured by the smells from a barbecue or trash bin. Bears are natural scavengers. They will remember an easy source of food and will keep returning if the food source is not properly disposed of.

Bears' sense of smell and hearing are far superior to humans and their eyesight is at least as good.

Bears are fast. A bear can run 66% faster than the world's fastest sprinter.

Bears are strong. They have been known to bend open car doors and pry open windshields in their search for food.

 

Don't leave food, garbage or pet-food accessible for bears. Store garbage indoors or outside in bear-proof containers. Garbage should be hauled to a dump-site at least twice a week to avoid odours. If there is garbage pick-up in your area, put it out an hour or two before the garbage truck arrives. If you're leaving several days before the scheduled pick-up, haul your garbage to the dump.

The bones and waste parts of fish and meat give off strong odours. Store them in the freezer until it's garbage day or time to visit the dump.

Barbecuing

Be alert when barbecuing. If bears are nearby, they may be attracted by the smell. Keep barbecue grills clean and free from grease. Store your barbecue covered and out of the wind or inside if possible.

More Helpful Tips

Avoid bird feeders. Birdseed, suet and hummingbird mixes may attract bears. Don't put fish, meat or fruit into your compost. Use lime to reduce odours. Enclose all composts, fruit trees, and beehives with chain link or electric fencing. Pick fruit daily from trees on your property even if you don't plan to eat it. Rotting fruit left on the ground is a powerful bear attractant. It is best to keep pets inside at night. Don't leave petfood outside.

At your campsite

Garbage Disposal

Garbage should be deposited in bear-proof containers or stored in your vehicle or trailer until it can be dumped.

If you have no access to either, place all garbage in plastic bags; find two trees at least 6 to 8 metres apart and hang the bags suspended between them (at least 4 metres above the ground and 200 metres away from your camp.)

Food Storage

Food should be stored in bear proof storage lockers or hung suspended in the same manner as garbage (see above). Food should only be stored in your vehicle as a last resort.

Never bring food or odoured non-food items into your tent—this includes toothpaste, perfume and chocolate bars. Avoid canned foods with strong odours, such as tuna. Burn food scraps and wash tins after eating.

Cooking

Cooking areas should be well away from your tents (at least 50 metres downwind.) Remove the clothing you wore while cooking before going to sleep. Store in bear-proof storage lockers or hang suspended in the same manner as garbage (see above). Your vehicle should only be used as a last resort. Wash all dishes immediately after eating. Dump waste water in a designated gray water disposal site or well away from your campsite.

Camp Setup

Make your camp away from natural paths and streams as bears are likely to use these routes. Camping next to a river or stream makes it hard for bears to hear you. Avoid setting up camp near natural bear food sources. Never camp near an animal carcass, garbage, or berry bushes that are bearing fruit.

Pitch tents in a line or semicircle facing your cooking areas. You will be more likely to spot a bear that wanders into your camp and it will have a clear escape route. Investigate your site before setting up. If you detect garbage or food strewn in the bushes or obvious bear signs do not make camp.

Travelling Safely in Bear Country

Keeping Encounters Positive and Free from Conflict

Be prepared! Learn as much as you can about bears before venturing into bear country. Check with the appropriate authorities before setting out (provincial wildlife officer, park warden, etc.) to see if there has been any reported bear activity along your planned route.

Stay alert! Watch for bear signs. Claw marks on trees, tracks in the dirt, bear droppings, plant root diggings, berries or trampled vegetation are all signs that bears have been in the area. Overturned rocks or broken-up rotted logs can be signs a bear has been foraging for insects.

Try not to surprise a bear. If a bear hears you coming, it will usually avoid you. Warn bears of your presence by talking loudly or singing, especially in dense bush where visibility may be limited or around rivers or streams where hearing is limited. Your voice will help identify you as human.

Never feed a bear, either intentionally or unintentionally by being careless with your garbage or food scraps. Hike during daylight hours in as large a group as possible and stick together. If you smell or see a dead animal (ravens circling) move away from the smell, making a wide detour. Leave the area if possible.

Keep all dogs on a leash and under control. Dogs may be helpful in detecting bears but they may also agitate bears or lead them back to you.

Carry red pepper bear spray or another deterrent and know how to use it.

 

If You Encounter A Bear

Note: There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to bears but the following tips may help.

Respect the bear's need for space. Never approach a bear. Encounters with aggressive bears are extremely rare and attacks are even rarer. Remain calm and assess the situation:

• If the bear is in the distance, try to make a wide detour or leave the area.
• If you suddenly come face to face with a bear…back away slowly, preferably moving in the direction you came from, and avoiding direct eye contact. Do not run.

 

If A Bear Approaches You:

Ready your deterrent (for example red pepper spray) and keep your group together.

Identify yourself as human by talking in a calm firm voice and slowly waving your arms above your head.

Try to determine whether the bear is a grizzly or black and whether it is defending cubs or an animal kill such as an elk or a deer. Bears may act defensively (see below) if startled or if protecting cubs or a food cache.

Grizzly mothers may fiercely defend their young, whereas a black bear will usually tree her cub(s) and try to intimidate you by acting aggressively while waiting for the threat to pass. Try to appear non-threatening by remaining still and calm.

A bear may 'pop' its jaws or swat the ground while blowing and snorting. A bear may lunge toward you or 'bluff' charge in an attempt to intimidate you—usually stopping well short of contact. These are both defensive behaviours. Remain calm and hold your ground. Increase your distance from the bear but stop if it approaches.

 

If a Bear Actually Attacks (physical contact is made) in a Sudden Encounter or in Defence of Cubs (especially a grizzly):

Try and use your deterrent before contact is made.

As a last resort, lie face down and play dead with legs outstretched and your hands covering the back of your neck. This will let the bear know you are not a threat. It is the best strategy to minimize injury at this point.

Do not move until the bear has left the area.

If a Bear Attacks While Defending an Animal Kill (especially a grizzly):

Do not play dead. Use your deterrent, but try not to act aggressively. Back away slowly and get as far away from the food cache as possible.

If a Bear Persistently Follows You (particularly a black bear):

Stop! Stand your ground and prepare to use your deterrent or any available improvised weapons such as a rock.

Act aggressively toward the bear. Let the bear know you will fight if attacked. Shout! Make yourself look as big as possible. Stamp your feet as you take a step or two toward the bear. Let the bear know you are not easy prey.

If the bear attacks, use your deterrent and fight for your life. Kick, punch or hit the bear with whatever weapon is available. Concentrate your attack on the face, eyes and nose. Fight any bear that attacks you in your building or tent.

"Remember bears are far more likely to enhance your wilderness experience than spoil it. Knowing how to interpret their behaviour and act responsibly is part of the thrill of sharing forests and mountains with these amazing creatures."

 

 

Myth: People traveling in bear country are often attacked.

Bear attacks are extremely rare. Although there are hundreds of human-bear encounters in Canada every year, only a very few result in personal injury. Take for example Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario: between 1978 and 1991, the years in which the park's two fatal bear attacks occurred, the park had more than 8 million visitors. Most bears will actually retreat before you are even aware of their presence. It is still important, however, to stay alert and know the Bear Safe facts.

Myth: All mother bears attack to defend their cubs.

The female black bear will rarely attack defensively. She is most likely to tree her cubs, and try to intimidate you by acting aggressively while waiting for the threat to pass. Female grizzlies are much more aggressive in defense of their cubs. As a general rule: it is best to stay away from all cubs even if they are by themselves. The mother is probably nearby.

Myth: A bear that rears on its hind legs is getting ready to attack.

A bear standing on its hind legs is usually trying to catch your scent or get a better look at you. Bears very rarely attack and when they do they attack on all fours.

Myth: Bears that wander into inhabited areas such as campsites, rural towns, or cottage communities are dangerous. It is often necessary, if unfortunate, to kill these bears.

It is nearly impossible for a bear to make its daily excursions without walking through someone's property. Bears may travel hundreds of kilometres in their search for food. If you have stored your food and garbage properly, the bear will likely move on. Remember, problem bears aren't born they're made. If bears are hanging around, something is attracting them. Removing the attraction will usually solve the problem.

Humans and bears can live together.