Human-bear conflict pose significant challenges in British Columbia, especially as urban expansion intersects with natural habitats. These conflicts are dangerous for both people and bears, with over 500 bears killed annually in BC as a result, 2023 marked the highest number of bear deaths on record.
Food and food odours are a primary attractant for bears, drawing them into human spaces and increasing the likelihood of conflict. While it is illegal to leave bear attractants, such as garbage, food, or other attractants, at homes and campgrounds near bear habitats, non-compliance remains a persistent issue. Despite the existence of these policies, many individuals continue to neglect the regulations, undermining their effectiveness in reducing human-bear conflict.
Recognizing the urgent need to address these conflicts, researchers from the University of British Columbia, in partnership with BC Parks, have launched an innovative multi-phase project to evaluate and enhance bear attractant management strategies to promote human bear coexistence in residential neighbourhoods and parklands.
Phase 1: Pilot Solutions in Manning Park
Phase 1 served as a pilot project in Manning Park, testing innovative interventions to reduce bear attractants and assess their effectiveness in real-world conditions. In summer of 2024, Manning Park became the focal point for a cutting-edge Randomized Control Trial experiment designed to test the effectiveness of various interventions aimed at reducing bear attractants in campgrounds. While bear safety signs and online resources already exist, this project delves deeper to explore whether targeted interventions could make a measurable impact.
The research team introduced three strategies to encourage compliance:
- Social Signaling: Stickers as subtle social nudges
- Financial Incentives: $10 Tim Hortons gift cards
- Informational Tools: Information cards with practical bear safety tips
The findings were promising-each intervention significantly reduced unattended bear attractants compared to no intervention. Although the differences between the strategies were not statistically significant, the project underscored the potential of simple solutions to mitigate human-bear conflict.
Phase 2: Strategies for Promoting Human-Bear Coexistence
Building on the valuable insights gained from Manning Park, Phase 2 will expand this pioneering initiative to new, strategically selected locations across British Columbia. This phase will focus on parks, with the potential addition of advanced monitoring techniques to track and analyze bear behaviour. The expanded scope aims to refine intervention strategies and foster a deeper understanding of human-wildlife dynamics, paving the way for more effective, scalable solutions to promote human bear coexistence
Research Team
Land Acknowledgment: We acknowledge that the lands on which we are working are the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Squamish, Katzie, Kwantlen, Soowahlie and Stolo peoples. These lands, now known as Alice Lake, Golden Ears, Cultus Lake, and Chilliwack Lake, have always been places of learning for these nations, who for millennia have passed on their culture, history, and traditions from one generation to the next on this site.
Government and Community Partners: BC Parks