🚀 go-pugleaf

A colleage's (bear biologist) response to the question.
________________________________________________
Roger Post
Habitat Biologist
Alaska Department of Fish and Game
<rpost@fishgame.state.ak.us>

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This is a tough problem.  Bears are really attracted to non-natural
objects either for play, for marking/rubbing, or in some cases (such as
runway lights) where the object emits a noise or odor that is interesting
and worth investigating.  Without knowing much more about the location or
type of instrument, I'd recommend electric fences with an energizer
powered by a solar panel (unless the instrument is measuring some sort of
electromagnetic field characteristic).  Capsaicin or other deterrent
coatings wouldn't be very useful because by the time the bear tasted the
coating the instrument would probably be crunched.  Physical or
electrical barriers are the best shot.  I'm not sure how much these
instruments are worth, but the electric fence setup can be installed for
just a couple hundred bucks each.
Cheers,
Dick

Dick Shideler
Alaska Dept. Fish & Game, Fairbanks
(907) 459-7283; FAX (907) 456-3091
dshideler@fishgame.state.ak.us



I am preparing to install permanent minirhizotron tubes (acetate tubes
protruding approx. .5 meter out of the ground) at a site known to have a
healthy bear population.  These tubes must not be moved or disturbed
otherwise many data will be lost.  Other researchers have experienced
bear
"vandalism" on their piezometers and other field instruments.

Does anyone have advice on non-cruel methods to ensure bears will stay
away
from these tubes?  Exclosures are being considered but are very costly
and
logistically problematic.  Thanks in advance for comments/suggestions.