Stories
of ferocious attacks by blood-thirsty bears on defenceless hikers make great
lead stories in the media. The overwhelming sense conveyed in these stories is
that bears are dangerous, mean creatures that are an extreme threat to people
in any circumstance. This, of course, is inaccurate at best and unhelpful at
worst.
Another
commonly held myth is that bears are cuddly creatures that resemble the teddy
bears we owned as kids. While there is no doubt that bears have the power to
trigger children’s imaginations, it is important that the stories we share with
our children be based on facts rather than fantasy.
It
is important to dispel both myths – the one based on fear, and the other based
on a misplaced belief that bears are tame cuddly animals.
Bears
are intelligent and resourceful wild mammals that deserve our respect. A
greater knowledge of the behaviour, ecology and habitat needs of bears is
crucial if we are to learn to co-exist peacefully with these magnificent
creatures.
- Bears are not about to attack, if standing on hind legs, they are simply wanting a better view.
- The bear would easily out run you if it were in the mood to attack, A young grizzly is perfectly capable of climbing trees.
- Most all bears are omnivorous, the long grizzly bear claws used mainly to tear apart decaying logs in order to get at insect grubs,one of the grizzly's favourite foods.
- Grizzlies are a lot more fun
than you would ever suspect-just
treat them with due respect-the same respect you might claim for yourself.
Despite
apparent differences in size and colour, black bears and grizzly bears are
often difficult to tell apart. Why is this important? Every year, black bear
hunters kill several grizzly bears by mistake, which can have dire consequences
for local grizzly bear populations.
It is extremely important to know which species is
which when you can encounter a bear in your community or in the back country.
Black Bears can be black, blue-black,
dark brown, brown, cinnamon and even white. Grizzlies, likewise, may range in
colour, from black to blond. Although grizzly bears are, on average,
significantly larger than black bears, size is not a good indicator of which
species is which. Male black bears in Manitoba’s Riding Mountain National Park,
for instance, can weigh up to 800 pounds in the fall, and female grizzly bears
on Alberta’s Eastern Slopes can weigh as little as 250 pounds in the spring.
The
best indicators are the size of the shoulders, the profile of the face and the
length of the claws. The grizzly bear has a pronounced shoulder hump, which the
black bear lacks. It also has a concave or “dished” facial profile, smaller
ears and much larger claws than the black bear. Black bears have a flatter,
“Roman-nose” profile, larger ears, no visible shoulder hump and smaller claws.
The best thing people can do for bears; replace
misconceptions with facts.
Bears
have fascinated humans for millennia. As one of the most adaptable and
versatile mammals on earth, their behaviour stirs fear, awe, wonder, and
curiosity in us. Unfortunately, there are still many myths surrounding the
lives and behaviour of bears that negatively impact our relationships with
them.
Stories
of ferocious attacks by blood-thirsty bears on defenceless hikers make great
lead stories in the media. The overwhelming sense conveyed in these stories is
that bears are dangerous, mean creatures that are an extreme threat to people
in any circumstance. This, of course, is inaccurate at best and unhelpful at
worst.
Another
commonly held myth is that bears are cuddly creatures that resemble the teddy
bears we owned as kids. While there is no doubt that bears have the power to
trigger children’s imaginations, it is important that the stories we share with
our children be based on facts rather than fantasy.
It
is important to dispel both myths – the one based on fear, and the other based
on a misplaced belief that bears are tame cuddly animals.
Bears
are intelligent and resourceful wild mammals that deserve our respect. A
greater knowledge of the behaviour, ecology and habitat needs of bears is
crucial if we are to learn to co-exist peacefully with these magnificent
creatures.
The Myths and the Factual Truths
Myth: Bears are unpredictable.
Fact:
Bears use body language and vocalizations to show their intentions. Learning
about bear behaviour can be beneficial to people who live or recreate in bear
country.
Myth: Bears can’t run down hill.
Fact:
Bears can run more than 60 kilometers an hour, and they can do it up hills,
down hills or along a slope. To put that in perspective, that’s 15 m/sec or 50
ft/sec – more than twice as fast as we can run. Further fact, a bear can outrun a
racehorse over short distances; but, has little endurance.
Myth: A bear standing on its hind legs is about to charge.
Fact:
Actually, a bear standing on its hind legs is just trying to better identify
what has caught its attention. As I’m sure you’ll agree, it’s much easier to
see, hear and smell things from a standing position, than down on all fours.
Myth: Once a bear has tasted human food, he won’t eat wild food any more.
Fact:
Bears prefer natural, wild food unless it is difficult to find and human food
is too easy to get. Even the worst food-conditioned bears still eat natural
foods whenever they’re plentiful. Conflicts usually increase when natural foods
run out – a good time to be more vigilant of bear attractants on your property;
such as bird feed, pet food, fruit trees/berry bushes, barbecue grease and
compost.
Myth: Bear bells are the best way to avoid a surprise encounter.
Fact:
It’s best to alert bears of your presence by talking loudly, singing songs or
breaking sticks. Try to hike in a group, on established trails, during daylight
hours.
Myth: If a bear charges you, climb a tree.
Fact:
Despite all their timidness on the ground, black bears seem to feel more
courageous in trees. Bears sometimes kill each other by throwing their
opponents out of trees. The bear below has the advantage because the bear above
cannot easily hang on and face downward to fight back. Also the lower bear
seems confident of these advantages and some bears have even come up trees
after people who thought climbing was prudent. Grizzlies, too, can climb –
perhaps not as quickly, but they have been known to attack people who climbed
trees to escape.
Myth: Bears are carnivores.
Fact:
Although classified in the order carnivora, grizzly and black bears are
omnivores because they eat both plants and animals. Only a small percentage of
their diet consist of meat, which includes fish, insects and other mammals (the
exact percentage is dependant on the type of food is available in their
habitat).The only truly carnivorous bear in the entire world is the polar bear and even that is changing, due to human interference.
Myth: Bears have poor eyesight.
Fact:
Bears see in colour and have good vision similar to humans. Their night vision
is excellent and they are particularly attuned to detecting movement. Like many
animals, bears’ eyes have a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum lining
the back of the eyeball. This layer reflects light back through the retina,
allowing light to stimulate light-sensitive cells in the retina a second time,
thereby improving night vision. This is what gives dogs, cats and many
nocturnal animals that distinct, bright green eye shine when they are flashed
with a light at night.
Myth: Bears that wander into inhabited areas such as camp-sites, rural towns or
cottage communities are dangerous
Fact:
It is nearly impossible for a bear to make its daily excursions without walking
through someone’s private 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 created
through mismanagement of human food and garbage. If bears are hanging around,
something is attracting them. Removing the attraction will usually solve the
problem.
Myth: Shooting or relocating a ‘nuisance’ bear will solve the problem
Fact:
Removing the bear and not the attractant will only create an opportunity for
another bear to move in, creating a vicious cycle of conflict and killing.
Myth: Carrying a rifle is safer than bear pepper spray
Fact:
A person’s chance of incurring serious injury from a charging grizzly doubles
when bullets are fired versus when bear pepper spray is used (Dr. Stephen
Herrero). Those injured defending themselves with bear pepper spray experienced
shorter attacks and less severe injuries than those who chose to use firearms
(US Fish and Wildlife Service). Click here to read the full report. Bears are
actually attracted to pepper spray residue if it is sprayed on the ground or on
objects. Never spray it around a tent or on yourself. When used defensively,
pepper spray must be sprayed directly in the attacking bear’s eyes or nose.
Click here for more information.
Myth12: One of the most dangerous encounters is getting between a mother black
bear and her cubs
Fact:
Because black bears can tree their cubs, it is rare for them to attack a person
in defence of cubs. However, if you are anywhere near a mother grizzly’s cubs,
she might very well perceive you as a threat. The chances are good that she
will just bluff charge and stop well short of physical contact. You need to do
whatever you can to show her that you are not a threat, otherwise the
consequences could be tragic. Be quiet, make yourself smaller and retreat.
Myth: People travelling in bear country are often attacked.
Fact:
Bear attacks are extremely rare. Bison are the animal that kill most humans -each and every year. Although there are thousands of human-bear
encounters every year, only a very few result in personal injury. Most bears
will actually retreat before you are even aware of their presence. It is still
important, however, to stay alert and know what to do.
Myth: It is dangerous for a woman to go into bear country when menstruating
Fact:
Current evidence suggests that menstruation does not increase the likelihood of
an attack by a black, or grizzly bear, but tampons are recommended over pads.
They may be disposed of by burning and then packing out the remains.
Myth: Play dead during an attack.
Fact:
Playing dead will work if you’re being attacked by a mother grizzly defending
her cubs.
But it is the wrong thing to do if you’re being attacked by a
predatory bear. If a bear attacks (particularly a black bear) in an offensive
manner and physical contact is made, fight for your life. Kick, punch, hit the
bear with rocks or sticks or any improvised weapon you can find.
A predatory
bear usually stalks its prey and attacks from behind. It is often silent and
the bear does not exhibit any defensive behaviours like huffing or slapping the
ground. Its ears may be laid back and its head held low, with its intent
focused directly on you.
Bears
are normally shy, retiring animals that have very little desire to interact
with humans.Black bears will often live near human settlements, whereas grizzly bears prefer
to stay as far away as possible. .
Understanding
bear behaviour is an essential part of creating safe environments for both
bears and people. More often than not, bear behaviour is misinterpreted. People
all too often interpret what a bear does in terms of their own fear. To truly
understand bear behaviour, you must interpret bear postures and vocalizations
in terms of what the bear fears.
Bears
have fascinated humans for millennia. As one of the most adaptable and
versatile mammals on earth, their behaviour stirs fear, awe, wonder, and
curiosity in us. Unfortunately, there are still many myths surrounding the
lives and behaviour of bears that negatively impact our relationships with
them.
Always Remember:
Bears
are predictable. In fact, bears are usually more predictable than people. If
you learn more about bears and how to interpret their behaviour, you will be
able to react appropriately when you see them and avoid a negative encounter.
Bears
are NOT ferocious. They are NOT mean, or malicious. Bears are normally shy,
retiring animals that have very little desire to interact with humans. Unless
they are forced to be around humans to be near a food source, they usually
choose to avoid us.
Bears,
like humans and other animals, have a “critical space” – an area around them
that they may defend. Once you have entered a bear’s critical space, you have
forced the bear to act – either to run away or be aggressive. The size of the
critical space is different for every bear and every situation.
Although
black bears and grizzly bears do share some common traits, it’s important to
understand the difference in the way they react to perceived threats. Each
species has evolved different strategies for survival. Black bears, for
instance, are usually less aggressive and more tolerant of people. They often
live near human settlements, whereas grizzly bears prefer to stay away from
human settlements and are often extirpated from heavily used or populated
areas.
Black
bears are excellent climbers. When a black bear is threatened he usually runs
from the perceived threat or goes up a tree. With cubs out of danger, female
black bears don’t have to make vigorous defences that risk potential injury.
Although black bears tend to retreat from people, they are still incredibly
strong animals that can cause injuries.
Today, grizzly bears tend to live in coastal or mountain forests, but they
evolved in treeless habitat that influenced their behavioural response to
perceived threats. For instance, they are more likely than black bears to
defend themselves when threatened. A black bear’s first line of defence is
retreat, but grizzlies, especially sows with cubs, can be very aggressive
towards other bears and people they perceive as threats.
While grizzlies especially adults are not good tree climbers, it’s important to note that they can climb
trees. However, a mother grizzly will usually aggressively defend her cubs
on the ground rather then send them up a tree as a black bear sow will.
Bears
are very curious and will inspect odours, noises and objects to determine if
they are edible or playable. Standing up on its hind legs allows a bear to get
more information from its senses of smell, sight and hearing. It is a sign of
curiosity, not aggression.
Bears
are usually active from dawn to dusk, but they may be seen any time of day or
night. Bears in many places of high human use have become nocturnal in order to
avoid people. While others have become habituated to people in order to gain
access to their plentiful buffet of improperly stored garbage and other attractants.
Bears
can be very social. Bears are often described as asocial when compared to
wolves, chimps or lions, but to use the term “asocial” to describe bears is
incorrect.
While bears do not live in extended family groups or join in hunts,
they can co-exist in very close proximity to each other and in fact form
alliances and friendships – some adult bears have even been known to mentor
younger unrelated bears; young unrelated adolescents hang around in pairs and
even groups (likely because there is strength in numbers). The bears of a
region are usually familiar with one another and meetings consist of complex
social exchanges. Some bears like each other and other simply don’t tolerate
one another in their respective home ranges – not unlike people’s relationships
with each other.
Bears
are not territorial. Being territorial means keeping other members of your
species away from a given area. Wolves and primates(including all the, so called, HUMAN species)are territorial – bears are
not.
Bears,share home ranges. This mutual use of land and
resources is a basis for bear social behaviour.
Bears
habituate, or become accustomed, to people just like they do other bears.
Because plentiful food resources can be localized – salmon in a stream or
berries on a mountainside – bears have evolved behaviour that allows them to
tolerate each other at close distances. This behaviour is transferred to their
relationship with humans. If they are not shot or harassed, bears habituate to
people the same way they do to each other.
Bears
live in a dominance hierarchy based on age, size and temperament. Mature males
are at the top of the hierarchy, and sub-adults and cubs at the bottom. Bears
establish and maintain their social position and place in the hierarchy by
posturing or acting aggressively. Single females and sub-adult adolescents are almost
always submissive to mature males but have a loose hierarchy within their own
group.
Bears
react to new things in their environment. New objects or situations often
frighten bears. Behaviourists call this “strange object response.” After an
initial fright, bears will often investigate what alarmed them. This is not an
aggressive act and shouldn’t be regarded as one.
Bears
are not always aware. Bears, particularly adult brown bears, are not always
aware of what is going on around them. A bear following a trail doesn’t always
look ahead. He may be distracted by a yummy food source or may not be able to
hear over the loud sounds of rushing water or blowing wind. A bear can
literally blunder into an unsuspecting person.
Relation
Between Humans and Polar Bears:
The
interactions between humans and Polar Bears have a long existence. Some of them
have been good relationships and others seem to threaten the well being of the
other. Early writings and oral stories passed along from generation to
generation indicate that many cultures were very respectful of Polar Bears.
They understand these large creatures were dominant in their world. They also
believed that human souls could take on the form of Polar Bears. Many of their
rituals involved honouring the Polar Bears as well.
On
the other side of that you have those cultures that found Polar Bears to be a
great source of food. They would hunt them and use all but the liver from these
animals for their survival. They too were very thankful for the Polar Bear, and
only used what they needed to in order to survive.
It
wasn’t until much later that Polar Bears and humans started to have huge
conflicts. As humans began moving into the territory of these animals, the
fights ensued. Humans have always felt they could take over any area they
wanted regardless of the natural habitat it would destroy in the process. The
Polar Bear was willing to stay and fight for their own survival. Even when they
did move to other locations, they often found themselves stepping on the toes
of humans in that region too.
The
commercial hunting of Polar Bears almost drove them to extinction. The
misconception was that there were very powerful bears with a taste for human
blood. Therefore they were to be hunted and destroyed so they couldn’t kill
humans. With advanced tools and hunting techniques, these efforts were
successful at slaughtering huge numbers of them. Many avid hunting fans took
part in such expeditions simply for the challenge of killing such a large
animal.
Polar Bears have found their way to the list of Endangered Animals.
However,
most humans don’t see to care that they are on there. They would like to see
such conservation efforts go towards other animals.
Paranoid humans, especially those with an extreme persecution complex, don’t like the fact
that such a predator is out there-- being protected. Yet, we all need to understand
that the Polar Bear remains at the top of the food chain. Should they be
destroyed that entire pyramid of balance will come crashing down. ~~Al (Alex-Alexander) D Girvan.
