Latest news with #humanwildlifeconflict
CTV News
7 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Lone wolf in K-Country not afraid of people: Alberta Parks
Alberta Parks says a lone grey wolf, believed to have become food-habituated, has been seen approaching campground and roadways in Kananaskis Country. (Pexels) A lone wolf is causing problems in Kananaskis Country, the provincial government says. In a statement to CTV News, Alberta Parks said it has received reports of 'increased encounters' with a lone grey wolf in Kananaskis Country. The animal appears to have lost its fear of people and has been seen numerous times in campgrounds and along roadways. 'While we cannot confirm what has caused this behaviour, the wolf may have accessed or received human food or rewards from the public, potentially leading to it becoming food-conditioned,' officials said. 'Food-conditioned animals are at higher risk for being involved in human-wildlife conflicts. For this reason, we ask that the public never feed or approach wildlife.' The province said conservation officers and Alberta Parks staff are monitoring the situation and are taking steps to discourage the wolf from approaching people. No closures have been associated with the behaviour of this animal. All sightings of this wolf or other food-habituated wildlife should be reported to Kananaskis Emergency Services at 403-591-7755.
New York Times
23-07-2025
- General
- New York Times
Grizzlies Were Raiding Montana Farms. Then Came Some Formidable Dogs.
The grizzly bears feasted on piles of spilled wheat and barley. They broke into grain bins. They helped themselves to apples from family orchards. Sometimes they massacred chickens or picked off calves. Once nearly eradicated from the lower 48 United States, grizzlies are growing in population and spreading onto Montana's plains, where they had not roamed in perhaps a century. In their travels, they've acquired a fondness for the good eating to be found in farmyards. This is a grave problem for both humans and bears. The safety of farmers and their families is at stake, and so is the survival of the bears, which could get themselves killed by threatening people's lives and livelihoods. Enter the bear dogs. This one's name is Patton, and he's a Turkish Boz shepherd. Tell Us About Solutions Where You Live Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Officials search for answers amid surge in terrifying encounters between people and wild animals: 'Maintaining a fence is very expensive'
Officials search for answers amid surge in terrifying encounters between people and wild animals: 'Maintaining a fence is very expensive' There are some parts of Africa where encounters with wild animals are becoming more common, and people have a lot to worry about. What's happening? According to TRT Global, a Kenyan farmer named Samuel Mwangi had a terrifying run-in with a jackal last December. He was walking a familiar path near his home when the animal jumped out of the bushes and bit him on the head. Samuel fought back with his machete and killed the jackal. He survived, but not without injuries. Stories like Samuel's are becoming more common, and there's a big reason this is happening more often: Wild animals are losing their space. As more people move into areas that used to be wild, animals are getting squeezed out. On top of that, drought and climate change are drying up food and water sources. So, animals wander into villages and farms looking for something to eat, and that's when they cross paths with people. Why Is This So Concerning? This isn't just happening in Kenya. Zimbabwe, South Africa, Tanzania, and other countries also report frequent and sometimes deadly human-wildlife clashes. Most of these happen in areas near wildlife reserves and parks. What makes this even more complicated is that these same animals are a huge part of the tourism industry, which means they help bring in money and jobs, but they're also putting nearby communities at risk. What's being done to help? Kenya has a program that provides money to help these people pay their medical bills, but fixing this issue isn't just about compensation. Kenya is also working to prevent attacks in the first place by using specialized infrastructure and patrolling. Still, keeping up with all of this is expensive and difficult, so that's why education is also a big part of the plan. Officials are using radio, TV, and social media to teach communities how to stay safe and what to do when wildlife is nearby. "Maintaining a fence is very expensive," said Dr. Richard Chepkwony, Director of Policy, Research and Innovation at Kenya Wildlife Service. The bottom line Living alongside wild animals comes with risks, but it's also part of what makes these places so special. If we want to protect both people and wildlife, countries will need to keep investing in smart solutions that keep everyone safe and allow nature to thrive. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
18-07-2025
- CBS News
California wildlife officials euthanize Lake Tahoe bear blamed for break-ins, threats to campers
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) said they have euthanized a bear who has been blamed for multiple break-ins and threatening campers in the Lake Tahoe area. According to officials, a male bear with the tag no. 717 was euthanized following an incident on July 7. The bear was described by officials as a "conflict" bear that has damaged vehicles, destroyed residential and commercial property and threatened campers for at least four years. "This bear, with a long history of human-wildlife conflict, was well-known to CDFW staff," the agency said in a statement Thursday. Agency biologists and wildlife officers were called to assist to haze several bears seeking human food at campgrounds in the Meeks Bay area on the western shore of the lake. Officials said hazing bears away from populated areas is an "important tool to create negative conditioning to human presence" while not harming the animal. CDFW staff positioned themselves to spend the night at a local campsite to safeguard campers and to keep bears away from tents, vehicles and human food. Around 8 p.m. that evening, staff were told that a bear was causing what was described as "extensive damage" to an unoccupied home. "Based on its concerning behavior, property damage, and repeated negative encounters with humans, the bear was approved for lethal removal," the agency said. After clearly identifying the bear based on the number and color of its ear tag, officials euthanized Bear 717. Officials said the bear was first captured, tagged and relocated to wild habitat four years ago after home and vehicle break-ins. Bear 717 quickly returned to the Lake Tahoe basin, continuing a pattern of break-ins and charging toward campers while seeking food. The agency shared photos of the bear, which showed the animal inside a vehicle and at a campsite. Bear 717 had also become what CDFW described as "trap shy", refusing to go into a trap despite many attempts. After Bear 717 was euthanized, officials found the bear had severely rotted teeth and was estimated to weigh close to 400 pounds, which is typical for bears in the area that subsist on human food and trash. CDFW officials said the bear's skull was collected for educational and scientific purposes, while the animal's remains were moved to the forest to decompose. "This unfortunate but necessary wildlife management action reinforces the need to keep bears wild and prevent them from accessing human food and garbage, which often leads to escalating conflict behavior and a threat to public safety," officials said. Last month, CDFW officials euthanized a bear in the South Lake Tahoe area after a camper was attacked in her trailer at Emerald Bay State Park. The bear's two cubs were taken to a wildlife rehab facility.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Wildlife officials forced to take drastic measures after observing bear's concerning behavior in national park: 'Always a last resort'
A black bear that acted aggressively toward humans at a Canadian national park had to be euthanized, according to CTV News. A hiker encountered the bear in late May on Cameron Lakeshore Trail in Waterton Lakes National Park, according to a Facebook post from Parks Canada. The bear's behavior during that encounter was "not safe" for preserving "human-wildlife coexistence," per the post, and the area was closed until the bear could be located and assessed. When officials did find a bear matching the description given, they confirmed that its behavior was unsafe and made the difficult decision to euthanize it. Normally, nature lovers and conservationists want to do everything possible to protect animals in the wild. Unfortunately, in certain cases, officials have to make the difficult decision to euthanize an animal when its behavior is a threat to human beings. Animals may approach humans or show aggression for several reasons. Sometimes it's due to illness — rabies, as an extreme example — which is one reason you should never approach or touch wild animals, even if they appear docile. But beyond that, this behavior is inevitable when humans encroach on animals' territory. As more habitats are destroyed and human developments spread, animals are forced into closer contact. They get used to the presence of humans and lose their fear. They also lose their natural food sources and may start seeking out human food instead. This combination can lead to them approaching people and buildings, and while that may seem cute at first, it's dangerous for both the humans and the animals. A startled, hungry, or cornered animal can lash out and hurt people, which is why animals that exhibit this behavior of approaching humans sometimes have to be put down for safety. Parks Canada and similar organizations worldwide help maintain a peaceful coexistence between people and animals. "This action is always a last resort and will only be taken if necessary to do so in the interest of public safety," Parks Canada said, per CTV News. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Human and wildlife safety is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. While this was an isolated incident, we want to remind visitors that wildlife and public safety is a shared responsibility — we all have a role to play." You can help by interacting responsibly with natural environments. Keep your food and trash secure, pack out all your trash and belongings, and maintain a respectful distance from wildlife for their safety and yours. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
