ALSO IN THE NEWS

They're changing hats at Buckingham Palace to save the black bear
Rachel Shields, The Independent, August 31, 2008

They have perched atop the heads of straight-faced soldiers for almost 200 years, been photographed by millions of tourists and generated countless protests, but now the controversial bearskin hats worn by the Buckingham Palace Guardsmen finally seem likely to be replaced with a more modern, humane alternative.

The imposing Guards Regiments may soon be topping off their red jackets with natty Stella McCartney or Vivienne Westwood creations, after a meeting next week in which senior MoD officials will consider a range of alternative hats created by leading designers. >>MORE

County bear conflicts down from last summer
Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole Daily, August 30, 2008

After Wyoming Game and Fish Department documented a record year for bear-human conflicts in Teton County in 2007, bear managers say valley bears largely have kept out of trouble this summer thanks in part to an abundant berry crop.

Wildlife managers responded to about 200 conflicts from the end of the bear denning season in spring of 2007 to the start of hibernation in December. But, to date this year, the county has only experienced about 20 bear conflicts, according to Wyoming Game and Fish bear management program supervisor Mark Bruscino. >> MORE

The human face of Whistler's bear problem
Jeff Gailus, Whistler Question, August, 28, 2008

It would be easy to characterize Whistler’s bear problem as a problem with bears, but such a conclusion would be wrong. No, our bear problem is not really about bears at all. It is about the habits of people, and in particular our tradition of carelessly discarding food scraps and other ursine edibles from our tables.

So far this year, eight black bears have been killed in and around Whistler for breaking into houses in search of food. Last year we experienced Whistler’s first recorded injury of a person at the paws of a bear, followed by two more bear-initiated injuries this year, sustained when Whistlerites surprised bears that were rummaging through their pantries and garbage bins. There is fear in the air, and exasperation. It is an untenable state of affairs, and if current trends continue, it will get worse before it gets better. >>MORE

Bear euthanized after daylong hunt
Matt Farley, Carson Times, August 28, 2008

A 400-pound black bear known to scavenge in populated areas was euthanized Wednesday after wandering through Carson City for most of the day, wildlife officials said.

“When you’ve got a bear running through a neighborhood hopping fences, the potential for somebody to get hurt is fairly high,” said Nevada Department of Wildlife biologist Carl Lackey. >>MORE

Whistler to vote on bruin bylaw
Stuart Hunter, The Province, August 27, 2008

Failing to address the bare necessities when it comes to bear-proofing their homes could soon cost Whistler residents a cool $10,000 a day in fines.

The municipal council will vote in September on a proposed bylaw that would add teeth to the existing bylaw enacted in 1999. Under the new bylaw, persistent offenders convicted of improperly storing their garbage or failing to remove bear attractants could be fined or jailed. >>MORE

Rottweiler in Jefferson (NJ) mauls bear cub to death
BillSwayze, Star-Ledger, August 27, 2008

When a bear lumbers into the yard and tangles with the family canine, it's usually big bear vs. little dog. But in Jefferson yesterday morning, it was big Max, a 5-year-old Rottweiler, vs. a 50-pound black bear cub, which the dog mauled to death, police Lt. Eric Wilsusen said. >>MORE

BC Ministry of Environment warns of increase in bear aggression
Invermere Valley Echo, August 26, 2008

The Ministry of Environment (MOE) is warning residents of British Columbia to be wary of black bears in their local areas.

This season's black bears have been behaving more aggressively towards humans in Lower Mainland Vancouver, with more than 2,350 reports of sightings since April. But MOE said the threat remains real to all Canadians living in areas with bears. >>MORE

Radio-collared bear reappears weeks after wreck near Ely
John Myers, Duluth News Tribune, August 26, 2008

A 250-pound black bear has surprised all observers by recovering from injuries suffered in a collision with a Toyota Camry that damaged the car so badly it was totaled. The bear is part of the ongoing research of Ely bear expert Lynn Rogers and carried a radio transmitting collar.

“I assumed she was a goner. I mean, if you look at the car, there’s no way,’’ Rogers said, noting the 1996 Camry’s front end was smashed with damage estimated at more than $6,000. >>MORE

Whistler proposes $10,000 fines for unkempt trash that draws bears
Cathryn Atkinson, The Globe and Mail, August 22, 2008

Persistent offenders who are convicted of leaving garbage improperly stored in Whistler, drawing bears and other wildlife into conflict with humans, are to be hit with new fines of up to $10,000 a day or three months in jail.

Four bears have been killed by conservation officers in Whistler since Aug. 7, and the municipality has received 440 complaints about bear activity so far in 2008, according to local Bear Aware figures.
The bylaw is due to pass in September and would come into effect for the whole community by January, 2009. >> MORE