Can rubber bullets rehabilitate a nuisance bear?
Mammals, Protected Areas Can you change the behavior of a bear that raids campgrounds, nuzzles through trash, or knocks side view mirrors off cars? A new study finds evidence that a method called aversive conditioning can be successful in modifying the behavior of some black bears (Ursus americanus) but fully averting conflicts with humans will require changing how people act as well.
Aversive conditioning involves exposing animals to negative stimuli - for example, by firing rubber bullets or shooting pepper spray - which hopefully they will associate with people leading to avoidance of humans. The idea is that this will prevent further conflicts with people and avoid the need for lethal control.
Study author Rachel Mazur tested whether aversive conditioning could rehabilitate nuisance bears in Sequoia National Park in California and prevent other bears from becoming habituated to people in the first place. From 2002- 2005, a wildlife management team in the park, used aversive conditioning on all black bears encountered within 50 meters of any developed area - approximately 150 bears in total. Techniques included chasing, rock throwing, using slingshots, firing rubber bullets with shotguns, and using pepper spray.
Ultimately, the techniques were successful in scaring off the bears encountered and most did not become habituated to humans - i.e. they did not return to developed areas to forage for human food. Firing rubber bullets was somewhat more effective than the other methods.
For the 29 bears that were habituated to human food, 17 ceased undesirable behaviors after receiving ongoing aversive conditioning, 6 were still in treatment at the end of the study, and 6 were either relocated or killed. According to the author, aversive conditioning was most successful in modifying the behavior of bears when used soon after they were exposed to food.
For me, the study - while encouraging - does not necessarily prove the merits of aversive conditioning because it did not provide a control that shows what would have happened in the absence of the treatment. Nevertheless this research is important in building our understanding of alternative methods for minimizing human-bear conflicts.
The study also shows that modifying human behavior is ultimately a big part of the puzzle. Mazur describes one incident in which a cub in close proximity to visitors was regularly approached and fed by people. He soon became food-conditioned and ultimately had to be killed when he grew older and became a danger. Mazur writes,
"Aversive conditioning, like lethal removal, will not be an effective management strategy if human food remains in the area. Before aversive conditioning is attempted, adequate food-storage facilities must be available, along with an outreach and enforcement program that ensures these facilities are used."
--Reviewed by Rob Goldstein
Mazur, R. (2010). Does Aversive Conditioning Reduce Human–Black Bear Conflict? Journal of Wildlife Management, 74 (1), 48-54 DOI: 10.2193/2008-163
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