WAYS TO CAPTURE A GRIZZLY BEAR

THREAT ASSESSMENT

When assessing human-bear conflict, public safety is the first concern, then the vulnerability of the local grizzly population. The bear does not appear to be conditioned to human food, nor has it behaved aggressively with people. While grizzlies seldom attack humans, “when they do the outcome is dire,” said Miller.

CAPTURE AND CONFINE

Conservation officers have deployed two bear traps in locations where the grizzly was sighted, as well as leg snares to increase the chances of catching the bear quickly. A black bear was caught in one of the traps Monday night and later released. COs move quickly when a bear is trapped, because the stress of confinement can cause death.

CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION

If the bear of interest is caught alive, conservation officers will inject the bear — using a pole or a dart gun — with a drug that immobilizes its muscles for about an hour. COs can then check to see if it is healthy and estimate its age by examining its teeth. The bear will also be given an ear tag to track future movements.

RELOCATE

Biologists with the ministry of forests, lands and natural resource operations will select a relocation area, with optimal habitat away from human settlements. The bear will be put in a “transport tube” and moved by boat or helicopter to a nearby but more remote location on the South Coast.