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NOTE: This section is
geared toward professional wildlife managers. It is not
intended for the general public.
Thousands of bears are killed
each year in North America. Traditionally, wildlife officials
have managed human-bear conflict situations through hunting
regulations, destruction and relocation; yet, these methods
have not prevented conflicts or even reduced their numbers.
As people move into bear country in unprecedented numbers, there
is increased concern for public safety, biodiversity conservation
and reducing property damage. The ineffectiveness of traditional
response methods and the need to maximize resources point
to a clear need for a new approach.
In order to achieve successful management of human-bear
conflicts, it is first necessary to minimize the number
of potentially dangerous encounters (e.g. through effective
waste
management, education
and enforcement);
then, it is equally important to deal with any remaining
conflicts in a non-lethal manner.
Non-lethal
alternatives provide an effective management tool and
incorporate a more holistic, long-term approach to bear
management.
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