A GRIZZLY PROBLEM

The story in the January/ February issue caught my attention, about the encounters with grizzly bears within town limits becoming more and more frequent. This particular example of human–wildlife zones overlapping was from North America, but it can be seen all over the world, where our ever-expanding city spread is impacting the movements and behaviour of wild animals.

Just look at the Cape Peninsula, close to where I live, and the constant issues related to baboons. I’m not for one minute suggesting it’s the baboons’ fault that their habitat and ours have converged. Nor is it their fault that they’re become habituated to humans – who can blame them that they’ve realised that we’re an easy source of food, with our accessible garbage bins overflowing with food scraps, open windows and doors that lead to kitchens bursting with tasty treats, or gardens full of yummy vegetables. They’re wild, intelligent animals, that are just trying to survive and prosper in the most effective ways they know how.

Humans aren’t going anywhere, (well, that’s not true … we’re going everywhere), and hopefully the baboons aren’t either. So this type of scenario is extremely difficult to solve – the answer isn’t obvious. There are complex layers to the issue, made all the more tricky when the interested parties disagree, and emotion is involved.

I truly hope that we can find ways to live more harmoniously with Earth’s other creatures, and each other.

COLBY HARGREAVES

Humans’ behaviour often doesn’t impress me, Colby, especially the way many of us think we own this planet. That story about the bears got me thinking, too, about the small (but numerous) ways that I can live with less impact to my direct and indirect surroundings. I think it’s a useful exercise for everyone, no matter where you live. – Mark, Editor