Human Bear Conflict is a Human Problem Not a Bear Problem

When discussing human bear conflict, the emphasis is too often put on the bear’s behavior and not on human behavior. We are working to change that, both in how we talk about the issue and what we do to understand and change human behavior.

2022 Focus Areas:

Alternatives to Bird Feeders
We are researching alternatives to using bird feeders as well as understanding why people are reluctant to take down bird feeders despite knowing the dangers to bears. Lead by CU Boulder Environmental Science student and Colorado Bear Coalition.

How to Increase Community Involvement
We are researching how to increase participation within communities to reduce human bear conflict. Lead by social scientists from Oregon State University and Social-Ecological Systems LLC on behalf of a project run out of the Center for Human Carnivore Coexistence at CSU.

Correlation between Weather, Bear Activity and Food Availability
We are researching the potential correlation between weather extreme events, native food availability, urban fruit availability and bear activity in town. Lead by CU Boulder Environmental Science student, Community Fruit Rescue and Colorado Bear Coalition.

CPW Community Grant Recipients
We will be monitoring and assessing CPW Community Grant funded projects to understand what strategies are effective and replicable. Lead by graduate student at the Center for Human Carnivore Coexistence at CSU and Colorado Bear Coalition.

Links to final reports will be updated when available.