BearSafetyTalk_Middle School_September2023_FINAL (1).pptx

Staying Safe in Kodiak’s Bear Country Nathan Svoboda Area Wildlife Biologist Kodiak Middle School Bear Safety September 2023 OBJECTIVES • Increase bear knowledge and reduce fear • Identify bear behaviors • Recognize value of bears to our community • Minimize probability of negative bear encounter...

Staying Safe in Kodiak’s Bear Country Nathan Svoboda Area Wildlife Biologist Kodiak Middle School Bear Safety September 2023 OBJECTIVES • Increase bear knowledge and reduce fear • Identify bear behaviors • Recognize value of bears to our community • Minimize probability of negative bear encounter • Guidelines for responding to a bear attack KODIAK BEAR HISTORY Kodiak bears have been isolated for about 12,000 years They are among the largest in the world and can weigh nearly 2,000 lbs! Important members of our community; ecologically, economically, and spiritually To coexist, we must learn to understand them and where they live BEAR PHYSIOLOGY • Bears share many attributes with people • But, perceive the world differently • Failing to recognize this can be dangerous • Not near-sighted • Can see about same as a person • See color and especially tuned in to movement • Good hearing – equivalent to dog • Rely heavily on sense of smell • 3-4 times more sensitive than dog • Difficult to assess the information gained thru their noses • Fingers and claws are extremely dexterous • Can grip objects the size of a grape between their claws They can travel in any terrain and can run up to 40 mph (uphill or downhill) Bears usually sleep at night and nap during mid-day They have a complex language that includes sounds and postures • Physical and mental traits make bears adaptable and versatile • Distinct individuals • Difficult to generalize about behavior • Often perceived as unpredictable Bearanoia - an irrational fear of all bears. • Bears are potentially dangerous, but… • Past 90 years, one death from a Kodiak bear attack BEAR BEHAVIOUR Signs of Stress or Dominance *Your notice to leave the area! • Elevated hair on neck • Side-to-side head movement • Ears back • Jaw popping • Huffing • Stomping • Bluff charges • Displaced aggression GOLDEN RULE DO NOT SURPRISE A BEAR!! Sows with Cubs • Brown bears will defend cubs aggressively • Do not get between a sow and her cubs! • Sows may consider you a threat to cubs • Back away slowly, do not make eye contact Sub-adult Bears Ears – disproportionately large compared to head Head – elongated, triangular shaped Neck – long and thin Body and legs – long and lanky Juvenile (sub-adult) Bears • Less cautious, more curious • More vulnerable to starvation & predation • Willing to take chances • More ‘anxious’ • Can be dangerous, so respect their space • Assume another bear nearby • Mother or sibling • Have deterrents ready Be aware of kill sites! • Pay attention to surroundings, be aware! • bear Use your sense of smell • Think about wind direction • Look for signs of struggle, torn up earth, blood, cache and • fur, Listen for ravens WILL scavengers • BEARS If discover a kill…DEFEND A KILL SITE VIGOROUSLY! BE AWARE! • Return the way you came • Make wide bypass around HUMAN ACTIVITIES Hiking • Travel in groups if possible • Talk through scenarios with group • Know who has deterrents and where they are located • If alone, use senses to stay aware of surroundings • Be alert, avoid distractions (no headphones) • Make presence known, make NOISE • Think ahead – where are bears likely to be and why? Hiking • Move cautiously, especially in brushy areas and running water • Realize bears take path of least resistance… like us • Know how to use deterrent safely and effectively • Don’t feed bears. Handle food, fish, and game responsibly • Look for bear sign • Respect bears and their space Fishing • DO NOT forfeit fish to bears! This teaches bears that anglers provide a free meal. • Stop fishing when bears are near. Splashing fish attracts bears. • If a bear approaches, release live fish downstream. If you have a fish on your line, cut the line to release the fish. Fishing • Immediately transport captured fish to a secure location such as your vehicle. • Place fish remains in fast current. Pick up all litter and bait so you don’t attract bears. • Be Bear Aware – Remember, you are sharing the stream and trail with bears. Hunting • Be cautious in brushy areas, and avoid hunting and camping near bear feeding such as salmon spawning streams. • areas Hunt with a partner and/or a note • leave Use calls with extreme caution. Some bears are attracted to strange noises. • If you encounter a bear, leave the area Hunting • If successful, go to kill sight immediately. Approach cautiously wind at back, make noise, avoid surprising bear. • Be aware of surroundings when cleaning game. • Pack all meat in one load. If unable, place in tree (or open area) away from kill site. • DO NOT drag game! • If a bear has claimed your kill, too bad. • Store meat, hides, clothing, etc. away from your camp. Camping • Set up camp in open area away from game trails, streams, travel corridors • Use bear fence and/or bear resistant • containers Keep food and scented items away from • camp Prepare food away from camp • Clean game and fish away from camp • Minimize scent and attractants • Know how to use bear deterrents and gear prior to trip *Note: Your actions and behavior will affect future campers and hikers BEAR ENCOUNTERS What to do… If the bear is not aware of you… • Quietly leave the area while keeping the bear in sight • Take wide route If the bear is aware of you… around • Calmly identify yourself as human • Use low calm voice • Appear non-threatening • Wave your arms • Do not crowd, increase distance If the bear slowly approaches you…stand • Assess your ground the situation • Determine bears • Remain calm demeanor • Do not run! • Prepare your deterrent If the bear stops…increase your distance calmly and look to leave the area. Don’t encourage poor behavior… • Do not get too close, keep your • distance Do not leave food out - fish and • game scraps, Be wary whenbait fishing - no stringers, cut line if necessary • Bears know they can bully people off river Attacks • • • • • Attacks on humans are exceedingly rare BUT…when they occur, they can result in serious injury or death Proactive prevention and awareness is critical Most attacks are avoidable Once an attack in imminent, human behavior can impact outcome Attack Response • • Attacks by brown bears are most often defensive If attack is imminent or if contact is •made Play dead, do not struggle or cry out • Protect vital areas of head and neck • Remain face down with hands behind • Leave backpack on for protection the neck • If bear flips you over, continue rolling until face down • Once bears realize you aren’t a threat they will typically move on…they don’t Attack Response If the attack ceases… • Remain still • Wait 5-10 minutes before moving to see if bear is • present Leave the area • Tend to injuries and/or communicate for help BASIC SAFETY MESSAGE Be bear aware, don’t surprise bears Don’t feed bears Respect bears and their space If you see a bear, THINK – don’t panic QUESTIONS ?