There is only one animal in all of North America that will actively kill humans for food, even if it is unprovoked. What animal is it?
a) Black Bear
b) Polar Bear
c) Grizzly Bear
If you guessed the polar bear, you’re correct! Black bears and grizzly bears will in fact attack humans, but not usually for sport. There have only been seven deaths caused by black bears since 1916.
The Ministry of Natural Resources proposed that the prime way of preventing bothersome bears is investing in a proper garbage can and reducing garbage related odors, removing bird feeders during summer months, and cleaning outdoor grills after every use.
Why do bears eat garbage in the first place? Bears like to live near both water and open areas like fields. Fields have grasses, herbs, and berries, which are bears’ favourite foods.
Animals hibernate because in the frigid winter months natural sources of food are extraordinarily scarce. Grass and berries are covered with several feet of cold, white snow, and unless bears are interested in making snow cones, there is generally no food available for them. Bears simply bypass winter when food disappears. In the months before hibernation, bears must build up their body weight. They can gain nearly forty pounds of fat per week!
Humans must be on the lookout for bears during the summer, especially when bears are frantically scouring for food. Bears are naturally attracted to the smell of our garbage cans and what is inside of them. They see garbage as an easy meal when finding natural sources of food is difficult. Bears will tip over and jump on cans until something comes out. Luckily for us, this is not a year-round issue; usually only from April – October when the snow has melted and bears are not hibernating. If your garbage can is not sturdy enough to handle the rigorous rough-housing by a bear, and he gets his paws on your grub, you’ll have quite the mess to clean up!
There are many suggested solutions to prevent bears from rummaging through garbage cans. Some include:
• Use bear-proof garbage containers. These have twist and lock lids, making it difficult for the bears to get inside them. Bears cannot crush or rip the reinforced sides, tops and bottoms.
• Store your garbage cans in your garage or shed.
• Seal thrown-out food in plastic bags or disposable air-tight containers, or add lime to garbage to eliminate odors that can attract bears. If necessary, separate food waste from non-food garbage and keep discarded food materials in a garage or shed until garbage pick-up day.
• Leave a bright light on the spot where you leave your garbage cans, if you don't have a garage or shed to store them. Set up a scarecrow nearby. Bears are not confrontational unless humans injure or corner them.
• Wash containers to be thrown away or recycled before placing them in garbage cans. This reduces odors that can attract the bears to your cans.
• Clean garbage cans regularly, using disinfectants, bleach or white vinegar. Spray inside with ammonia between cleanings to help discourage bears from getting to your garbage cans.
Another solution is relocating bears to other areas. Although quite a hefty chore, it sounds like a decent solution until you hear the statistics for the well being of the bears... at least 50% of bears die immediately after being relocated, either from starvation, or from resident bear attacks in hopes of protecting their territory.
The prime reason bears and humans conflict is because of improper care of garbage cans and other attractants. Bears cannot change, but we can. It is our responsibility to make changes in daily routines to make our communities safe for both us and the bears.
Fortunately, there are some simple solutions available… Bears can be less bothersome with the use of the right garbage bins. Equipment World sells Bear Bins by Bear Necessities. These cans have been field tested and approved by bear management specialists in North America since 1997
http://www.bearaware.bc.ca/
www.pa.msu.edu/sci_theatre/ask_st/021898.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_2083852_keep-bears-away-from-garbage.html
0 comments:
Post a Comment