HOW BEARS CAN BECOME
NUISANCES
Bears will travel more than 100 km to a known food source, such as a
berry patch or a stand of beech trees. Bears are highly intelligent
and will learn where other food sources can be found and seek them
out. They can easily learn to re- visit your back-yard or campsite
once they have determined that food can be found there. The majority
of bear problems occur as a result of improperly stored household
garbage. Bears quickly learn to associate human residences and
campsites with a readily available food source.
Bears
are also attracted to pet food that is left outdoors, bird feeders,
barbecues, composters, fruit trees, beehives, sweetcorn and grain
fields. Garbage dumps provide a concentration of readily
available food that often attracts bears. Bears lose their
natural fear of humans through repeated exposure to people in
areas where food is intentionally or unintentionally provided. In such
cases, conflict with humans is inevitable; bears may even become
destructive or dangerous. Such bears are often destroyed because they
have become a "nuisance" or are perceived as a threat to
human safety. That is why you should never intentionally feed bears or
place food to attract wildlife to your yard for viewing.
Credits - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Dr. Martyn Obbard
photo's - Mike McIntosh
Credits - Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
Dr. Martyn Obbard
photo's - Mike McIntosh