The Wildlife Management Program found another way to help people avoid human/bear conflict on the Reservation. The latest effort, funded by Defenders of Wildlife, is the purchase of 5 “UnBear Able Bins” to keep bears out of residential garbage.

“Unsecured attractants are the biggest cause of bear and human conflict,” says Stacy Courville, Wildlife Biologist for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

“Every spring, Wildlife Biologists and Tribal Wardens respond to dozens of phone calls about bears being too close” Courville says. “The majority of these calls come because people allow bears to access human food and garbage. Bears quickly learn to associate it with people and become “problem bears” when they are food conditioned.”

Both bears and humans like to settle in valley bottoms and along streams. More development in these areas results in bears living in closer proximity to people. Bears that live near humans can become problem bears if they get access to non-natural foods. The potential for conflict increases as people continue to encroach on bear habitat.

“In communities like St. Ignatius and Hot Springs, situated at the base of mountain ranges with streams running through them, the problems can last all summer” said Dale Becker, Tribal Wildlife Program Manager.

The UnBearAble Bins are one solution to help stop problem bears before they get started. They prevent bears from being attracted to your garbage, livestock and pet food.

For more information about how to co-exist with bears or to check out an UnBearAble Bin contact Stacy Courville at 883-2888 ext. 7284 or Germaine White at 883-2888 ext 7299.