Bear Aware Program

Working in partnership with the BC Conservation Foundation on Bear Aware

The District of Kitimat is continuing with a Bear Awareness campaign during the summer of 2013. The key idea for this program is to educate Kitimites about the dangers posed by bears and how to reduce conflict between bears and humans.

Community education on bear awareness is taking place in several ways:

Speaking at local schools about bear safety and giving informative presentations
Door to door canvassing
Speaking with children at Riverlodge, Museum, and Library Summer Programs
Visiting the Kitimat River and campgrounds to speak about correct ways to store food and waste
Working with the Conservation Officers to inform residents of Kitimat about bear safety and the importance of secure storage of garbage containers
Providing information to local businesses on bear issues and how to reduce conflict
Working with local media on this bear aware campaign
Recruiting volunteers to get involved with the program
Providing information about Bear Awareness for the District of Kitimat web page

The District of Kitimat is working in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation on the Bear Aware Program. http://bear aware.bc.ca/

Helpful Bear Awareness Tips

To help avoid a bear encounter be noisy when you are in bear country. If you encounter a bear you must try to determine if the encounter is Defensive or Predatory so you can react most appropriately:

Defensive Encounter

A defensive bear might not approach you
A defensive bear will leave when you make noise
It might charge at you but it will stop short this is considered a bluff charge
When this happens make yourself BIG by putting your arms out or waving them above your head
Remain calm. Do not run. Stand still and talk to the bear in a calm voice. Identify yourself as human
Do not try to get closer to the bear
If the bear does not get closer to you, slowly back away, speaking to the bear in a monotone voice. Never scream, cry, turn your back on the bear, run, kneel down or make direct eye contact
If necessary blow a whistle or an air horn. The idea is to persuade the bear to leave
Watch the bear and wait for it to leave

Predatory Encounter

A Predatory Attack can be motivated by a curious bear, a food-conditioned bear, a bear testing its dominance or a bear who may consider you potential prey

The bear will show little stress while coming towards you
Your response must be assertive. Stay calm and talk to the bear in a firm voice
Try and avoid the bear as much as possible, it may just want you off its path
If a bear continues to follow you and stays focused on you, you are in a dangerous position. You must become much more aggressive
- Shout, stare the bear down, make yourself look as large and as threatening as possible
- Let the bear know you'll fight back if attacked
- Stamp your feet, jump up onto a rock or log while taking a few steps towards the bear while threatening the bear with anything you can find
- Use your bear deterrent
If a bear attacks, fight back with all your might, use any weapon within reach, and be as aggressive as possible. Aim for the bear's face, eyes, and nose when fighting back and NEVER give up

Bear Behaviour:

Any bear you encounter may:

Stand on its hind legs to get a better look at you
Drool excessively, exhale loudly, and make huffing and moaning sounds while clacking its
mouth, teeth and jaws together
Lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you
Charge forward, or swat the ground with its paws. This is also known as a bluff charge

To help avoid a bear encounter, be noisy when you are in bear country. If you encounter a bear, try to determine if the encounter is defensive or predatory and react appropriately. More tips and information are provided in the pamphlet:

Bears and People
Reducing Conflict Between Bears and People