Park Canada Train Bears To Keep Away

by Jennifer Smith June 13, 2019

Parks Canada are noticing changes with bears; and it's not a good thing for park visitors.

It's not uncommon for visitors to stop in parked vehicles and snap pictures of bears; but the problem is that bears are not scared of the moving vehicles, nor the humans. Instead, bears are approaching areas with people including picnicking areas and camp sites. This is usually not to attack humans, but rather, to find food.

Currently, Parks Canada is attempting to recondition bears to be scared of humans and to run away with various tactics.

Bears are attracted to a number of smells including human food, pet food, citronella candles, toothpaste, juices and even sunscreen. When we leave food out at campgrounds, or around lawns, this is when bear movement is predictable.

“The bears learn that that’s where they can get their quick meal. The analogy I’ve always liked to use is if you could have broccoli versus pizza, which would you have? You’re going to try and have pizza. Human food for bears is pizza, whereas the grass and the other things that bears eat are like broccoli. They try and get their quick calories,” Ramona Maraj, Elk Island’s resource management officer said.

To keep away bears, it's best to secure everything in a car or bear locker. Alternatively, homeowners can guard their gardens with electric fencing for bear deterrence and secure garbage containers.

Bear movement heightens in summer, particularly in August when outdoor enthusiasts are out-and-about.