I think one of the biggest challenges in the valley and it’s been going on for
the valley and it’s been going on for
the valley and it’s been going on for over 20 years now it’s been going on
over 20 years now it’s been going on
over 20 years now it’s been going on since the mid 80s is the constant change
since the mid 80s is the constant change
since the mid 80s is the constant change of the landscape itself within the bull
of the landscape itself within the bull
of the landscape itself within the bull valley everybody’s having to learn new
valley everybody’s having to learn new
valley everybody’s having to learn new things every single year and that
things every single year and that
things every single year and that includes animals can how they move
includes animals can how they move
includes animals can how they move through the valley you know an example
through the valley you know an example
through the valley you know an example of that would be many years ago
of that would be many years ago
of that would be many years ago following a radio called a grizzly bear
following a radio called a grizzly bear
following a radio called a grizzly bear into the bull Valley here and I remember
into the bull Valley here and I remember
into the bull Valley here and I remember sitting at a at a corner waiting for her
sitting at a at a corner waiting for her
sitting at a at a corner waiting for her to pop out and to try to keep her from
to pop out and to try to keep her from
to pop out and to try to keep her from entering into a development and I
entering into a development and I
entering into a development and I remember her popping out onto the edge
remember her popping out onto the edge
remember her popping out onto the edge of the forest and going up her hind legs
of the forest and going up her hind legs
of the forest and going up her hind legs and looking around and what used to be a
and looking around and what used to be a
and looking around and what used to be a forest the previous fall was now
forest the previous fall was now
forest the previous fall was now completely gone and was just a big
completely gone and was just a big
completely gone and was just a big construction zone and I just looked at
construction zone and I just looked at
construction zone and I just looked at her it was like she was thinking oh my
her it was like she was thinking oh my
her it was like she was thinking oh my gosh what happened what do I do now
gosh what happened what do I do now
gosh what happened what do I do now and I think it was a great example of
and I think it was a great example of
and I think it was a great example of how wildlife were really struggling at
how wildlife were really struggling at
how wildlife were really struggling at times to to figure out how to move
times to to figure out how to move
times to to figure out how to move through the valley
[Music]
[Music] well I know it’s been described by some
well I know it’s been described by some
well I know it’s been described by some bear biologists as being one of the
bear biologists as being one of the
bear biologists as being one of the busiest landscapes the grizzly bears and
busiest landscapes the grizzly bears and
busiest landscapes the grizzly bears and people continue to coexist and I’m not
people continue to coexist and I’m not
people continue to coexist and I’m not aware of any community in North America
aware of any community in North America
aware of any community in North America that’s been able to achieve what we’ve
that’s been able to achieve what we’ve
that’s been able to achieve what we’ve been able to achieve here so the whole
been able to achieve here so the whole
been able to achieve here so the whole story of bears and garbage in the bull
story of bears and garbage in the bull
story of bears and garbage in the bull valley started back in the 70s in the
valley started back in the 70s in the
valley started back in the 70s in the national parks and in cameroon there was
national parks and in cameroon there was
national parks and in cameroon there was open pit garbage dumps and bears
open pit garbage dumps and bears
open pit garbage dumps and bears routinely wandered through town seeking
routinely wandered through town seeking
routinely wandered through town seeking out garbage that people left that
out garbage that people left that
out garbage that people left that curbside in 1980 I was warden in Banff
curbside in 1980 I was warden in Banff
curbside in 1980 I was warden in Banff Park and we handled 75 bears that summer
Park and we handled 75 bears that summer
Park and we handled 75 bears that summer that year they also had a mauling a
that year they also had a mauling a
that year they also had a mauling a single large male grizzly bear mauled
single large male grizzly bear mauled
single large male grizzly bear mauled four people one of whom eventually died
four people one of whom eventually died
four people one of whom eventually died we fall to 747 because it was the
we fall to 747 because it was the
we fall to 747 because it was the largest bear that we had a record in
largest bear that we had a record in
largest bear that we had a record in Banff are going at night to feed on
Banff are going at night to feed on
Banff are going at night to feed on garbage from the caboose restaurant
garbage from the caboose restaurant
garbage from the caboose restaurant leftover steak bones and steaks and
leftover steak bones and steaks and
leftover steak bones and steaks and chickens and chicken bones
chickens and chicken bones
chickens and chicken bones they’re probably been fattening on
they’re probably been fattening on
they’re probably been fattening on people’s food and garbage for a long
people’s food and garbage for a long
people’s food and garbage for a long time before who were out fishing ran
time before who were out fishing ran
time before who were out fishing ran into this bear at close range well of
into this bear at close range well of
into this bear at close range well of his restaurant it attacked three of them
his restaurant it attacked three of them
his restaurant it attacked three of them were serious injured one person died and
were serious injured one person died and
were serious injured one person died and everybody pretty well agreed garbage and
everybody pretty well agreed garbage and
everybody pretty well agreed garbage and grizzly bears or garbage and black bears
grizzly bears or garbage and black bears
grizzly bears or garbage and black bears shouldn’t mix
shouldn’t mix
shouldn’t mix dangerous mist and then Parks Canada
dangerous mist and then Parks Canada
dangerous mist and then Parks Canada it’s a million or two million to clean
it’s a million or two million to clean
it’s a million or two million to clean up the food garbage and they did them we
up the food garbage and they did them we
up the food garbage and they did them we fast forward out to the early 90s
fast forward out to the early 90s
fast forward out to the early 90s Kenmore had been discovered the town had
Kenmore had been discovered the town had
Kenmore had been discovered the town had gone from four thousand residents to
gone from four thousand residents to
gone from four thousand residents to almost 10,000 residents there was a
almost 10,000 residents there was a
almost 10,000 residents there was a group of citizens here in Kenmore that
group of citizens here in Kenmore that
group of citizens here in Kenmore that were really concerned that was trying to
were really concerned that was trying to
were really concerned that was trying to force Town Council to do something about
force Town Council to do something about
force Town Council to do something about bears and garbage and camel we were
bears and garbage and camel we were
bears and garbage and camel we were learning very quickly that there was a
learning very quickly that there was a
learning very quickly that there was a strong relationship between how we were
strong relationship between how we were
strong relationship between how we were managing our waste and the impact it was
managing our waste and the impact it was
managing our waste and the impact it was having on bears in habituating them and
having on bears in habituating them and
having on bears in habituating them and attracting them in the town and
attracting them in the town and
attracting them in the town and rewarding them once that connection was
rewarding them once that connection was
rewarding them once that connection was clearly made then it was how do we
clearly made then it was how do we
clearly made then it was how do we change what we thought was really
change what we thought was really
change what we thought was really fascinating is it is recognizing that
fascinating is it is recognizing that
fascinating is it is recognizing that bears can do this right but they can’t
bears can do this right but they can’t
bears can do this right but they can’t do that and so that’s why the hinge is
do that and so that’s why the hinge is
do that and so that’s why the hinge is facing down because that’s something we
facing down because that’s something we
facing down because that’s something we can do in the Bears have much difficulty
can do in the Bears have much difficulty
can do in the Bears have much difficulty doing that it has not gone through any
doing that it has not gone through any
doing that it has not gone through any changes in the last 20 years and so it
changes in the last 20 years and so it
changes in the last 20 years and so it really shows that designed the interest
really shows that designed the interest
really shows that designed the interest the collaboration really worked
you know us included figured that once
you know us included figured that once we got the garbage problem solved but
we got the garbage problem solved but
we got the garbage problem solved but maybe that was going to be the end of it
maybe that was going to be the end of it
maybe that was going to be the end of it and then we had bird feeders and you’ve
and then we had bird feeders and you’ve
and then we had bird feeders and you’ve got a bird feeder bylaw put in and that
got a bird feeder bylaw put in and that
got a bird feeder bylaw put in and that negate the bird feeder issue but eras
negate the bird feeder issue but eras
negate the bird feeder issue but eras are always searching for food and when
are always searching for food and when
are always searching for food and when one thing becomes unavailable they moved
one thing becomes unavailable they moved
one thing becomes unavailable they moved to something else and then it’s just
to something else and then it’s just
to something else and then it’s just this constant trying to keep ahead of
this constant trying to keep ahead of
this constant trying to keep ahead of the game and be aware of what’s out
the game and be aware of what’s out
the game and be aware of what’s out there and trying to manage for it
there and trying to manage for it
there and trying to manage for it so right now we’re going to deal with
so right now we’re going to deal with
so right now we’re going to deal with this natural food attracted but it’s
this natural food attracted but it’s
this natural food attracted but it’s right on a busy is a trail there are
right on a busy is a trail there are
right on a busy is a trail there are certain areas where we’re just not going
certain areas where we’re just not going
certain areas where we’re just not going to encourage wildlife to be in those
to encourage wildlife to be in those
to encourage wildlife to be in those areas they’re they’re residential areas
areas they’re they’re residential areas
areas they’re they’re residential areas and part of doing that means removing
and part of doing that means removing
and part of doing that means removing the food source that is available within
the food source that is available within
the food source that is available within the town footprint bears can travel
the town footprint bears can travel
the town footprint bears can travel along the trail but we’re going to
along the trail but we’re going to
along the trail but we’re going to remove the food source because of the
remove the food source because of the
remove the food source because of the high levels of human use and the type of
high levels of human use and the type of
high levels of human use and the type of activity ie biking
problem is where we live bears filter
problem is where we live bears filter through here quite frequently but if we
through here quite frequently but if we
through here quite frequently but if we leave an attractant out they then want
leave an attractant out they then want
leave an attractant out they then want to stay and they get competitive and
to stay and they get competitive and
to stay and they get competitive and then you have trouble so we’re trying to
then you have trouble so we’re trying to
then you have trouble so we’re trying to remove any reason for a bear to stay
remove any reason for a bear to stay
remove any reason for a bear to stay just allow it to filter we only planted
just allow it to filter we only planted
just allow it to filter we only planted the trees because we wanted flowers we
the trees because we wanted flowers we
the trees because we wanted flowers we didn’t really want the apples so we’re
didn’t really want the apples so we’re
didn’t really want the apples so we’re really happy the town is replacing the
really happy the town is replacing the
really happy the town is replacing the tree with a flowering tree that won’t
tree with a flowering tree that won’t
tree with a flowering tree that won’t fruit Kenmore was a pretty sleepy little
fruit Kenmore was a pretty sleepy little
fruit Kenmore was a pretty sleepy little resource town and then the Winter
resource town and then the Winter
resource town and then the Winter Olympics happened here and suddenly
Olympics happened here and suddenly
Olympics happened here and suddenly Kenmore became a kind of a destination
Kenmore became a kind of a destination
Kenmore became a kind of a destination and development pressure started to grow
and development pressure started to grow
and development pressure started to grow and that was the time when the whole
and that was the time when the whole
and that was the time when the whole issue of wildlife corridors started to
issue of wildlife corridors started to
issue of wildlife corridors started to get talked about and it is a fairly
get talked about and it is a fairly
get talked about and it is a fairly simple concept I mean wildlife need to
simple concept I mean wildlife need to
simple concept I mean wildlife need to move they need land to access food for
move they need land to access food for
move they need land to access food for mates they need to interchange genetic
mates they need to interchange genetic
mates they need to interchange genetic information between populations wildlife
information between populations wildlife
information between populations wildlife tend to use very similar pathways and
tend to use very similar pathways and
tend to use very similar pathways and those are what we kind of refer to as
those are what we kind of refer to as
those are what we kind of refer to as corridors the best wildlife corridors in
corridors the best wildlife corridors in
corridors the best wildlife corridors in in and around the town of Cameron are
in and around the town of Cameron are
in and around the town of Cameron are already taken up by development all
already taken up by development all
already taken up by development all these discussions which we’re just
these discussions which we’re just
these discussions which we’re just starting in can work around wildlife
starting in can work around wildlife
starting in can work around wildlife quarters and connectivity
quarters and connectivity
quarters and connectivity we’re happening at a time when they’re
we’re happening at a time when they’re
we’re happening at a time when they’re also actually global discussions
also actually global discussions
also actually global discussions happening within the field of biology
happening within the field of biology
happening within the field of biology about the importance of connecting
about the importance of connecting
about the importance of connecting isolated populations so individual
isolated populations so individual
isolated populations so individual national parks and reserves with
national parks and reserves with
national parks and reserves with regional level corridors and so if we
regional level corridors and so if we
regional level corridors and so if we kind of zoom out from Canmore and look
kind of zoom out from Canmore and look
kind of zoom out from Canmore and look at that it’s you know
at that it’s you know
at that it’s you know Kanwar is actually important in that
Kanwar is actually important in that
Kanwar is actually important in that it’s it’s a potential connection between
it’s it’s a potential connection between
it’s it’s a potential connection between BAFF National Park and kananaskis
BAFF National Park and kananaskis
BAFF National Park and kananaskis country it’s also as you zoom out even
country it’s also as you zoom out even
country it’s also as you zoom out even more it lights up as a really important
more it lights up as a really important
more it lights up as a really important north-south connection and a much
north-south connection and a much
north-south connection and a much broader reserve network that stretches
broader reserve network that stretches
broader reserve network that stretches over 3,400 kilometers from Yellowstone
over 3,400 kilometers from Yellowstone
over 3,400 kilometers from Yellowstone National
National
National all the way up to the Yukon the
all the way up to the Yukon the
all the way up to the Yukon the trans-canada highway is a major barrier
trans-canada highway is a major barrier
trans-canada highway is a major barrier to wildlife movement and it cuts all
to wildlife movement and it cuts all
to wildlife movement and it cuts all along the bull Valley 20 years of effort
along the bull Valley 20 years of effort
along the bull Valley 20 years of effort have gone into highway fencing and
have gone into highway fencing and
have gone into highway fencing and building wildlife crossing structures
building wildlife crossing structures
building wildlife crossing structures that span this highway and we know they
that span this highway and we know they
that span this highway and we know they work the wildlife collision mortalities
work the wildlife collision mortalities
work the wildlife collision mortalities have decreased by 80% and there’s
have decreased by 80% and there’s
have decreased by 80% and there’s literally been over a hundred thousand
literally been over a hundred thousand
literally been over a hundred thousand documented wildlife crossings of these
documented wildlife crossings of these
documented wildlife crossings of these structures they are a key part of the
structures they are a key part of the
structures they are a key part of the wildlife quarter network in the bull
wildlife quarter network in the bull
wildlife quarter network in the bull Valley this is like the petri dish of
Valley this is like the petri dish of
Valley this is like the petri dish of wildlife corridor science because what’s
wildlife corridor science because what’s
wildlife corridor science because what’s so good string tight topography and
so good string tight topography and
so good string tight topography and that’s the really important point there
that’s the really important point there
that’s the really important point there there’s only a limited amount of land
there’s only a limited amount of land
there’s only a limited amount of land here when you have you know species like
here when you have you know species like
here when you have you know species like grizzly bears and cougars you know
grizzly bears and cougars you know
grizzly bears and cougars you know cohabiting in areas where there’s a lot
cohabiting in areas where there’s a lot
cohabiting in areas where there’s a lot of human activity is a real real
of human activity is a real real
of human activity is a real real challenge
the town of Kenmore Council passed a
the town of Kenmore Council passed a motion to get a stakeholder group
motion to get a stakeholder group
motion to get a stakeholder group together to look at the issue of people
together to look at the issue of people
together to look at the issue of people recreation in wildlife corridors and
recreation in wildlife corridors and
recreation in wildlife corridors and habitat patches in a year and a half
habitat patches in a year and a half
habitat patches in a year and a half we’ve collected more than one and a half
we’ve collected more than one and a half
we’ve collected more than one and a half million photos or images and that
million photos or images and that
million photos or images and that involves people and wildlife but what
involves people and wildlife but what
involves people and wildlife but what we’re seeing is that 94% of use in these
we’re seeing is that 94% of use in these
we’re seeing is that 94% of use in these areas is human use about 61 percent of
areas is human use about 61 percent of
areas is human use about 61 percent of them are rec reading with a dog and of
them are rec reading with a dog and of
them are rec reading with a dog and of those people rec reading with a dog
those people rec reading with a dog
those people rec reading with a dog about 60% of them have the dogs off
about 60% of them have the dogs off
about 60% of them have the dogs off leash so what that tells us is that we
leash so what that tells us is that we
leash so what that tells us is that we need to do a much better job at reducing
need to do a much better job at reducing
need to do a much better job at reducing those pressures on wildlife most people
those pressures on wildlife most people
those pressures on wildlife most people want to do the right thing just like
want to do the right thing just like
want to do the right thing just like somebody in a city would check the
somebody in a city would check the
somebody in a city would check the traffic conditions before they go out on
traffic conditions before they go out on
traffic conditions before they go out on the road or skiers would check the
the road or skiers would check the
the road or skiers would check the avalanche conditions before they go
avalanche conditions before they go
avalanche conditions before they go skiing we will have resources available
skiing we will have resources available
skiing we will have resources available to educate people in terms of where they
to educate people in terms of where they
to educate people in terms of where they should and shouldn’t be recreative based
should and shouldn’t be recreative based
should and shouldn’t be recreative based on wildlife sensitivities so that people
on wildlife sensitivities so that people
on wildlife sensitivities so that people can go in and look and see what trails
can go in and look and see what trails
can go in and look and see what trails that they might want to avoid that day
today we are actually working on a small
today we are actually working on a small piece of the overall project to
piece of the overall project to
piece of the overall project to implement some restoration of the
implement some restoration of the
implement some restoration of the habitat patch in South camera which is
habitat patch in South camera which is
habitat patch in South camera which is where we are today
where we are today
where we are today we’re going to be restoring trails that
we’re going to be restoring trails that
we’re going to be restoring trails that are unnecessary and reducing the linear
are unnecessary and reducing the linear
are unnecessary and reducing the linear trail density throughout the area so the
trail density throughout the area so the
trail density throughout the area so the area is more effective for wildlife in
area is more effective for wildlife in
area is more effective for wildlife in doing that work and trying to address
doing that work and trying to address
doing that work and trying to address how humans use the landscape in and
how humans use the landscape in and
how humans use the landscape in and around Canmore is really that we’re
around Canmore is really that we’re
around Canmore is really that we’re giving animals the space that they need
giving animals the space that they need
giving animals the space that they need to move up and down the valley and get
to move up and down the valley and get
to move up and down the valley and get to the places where they need to go we
to the places where they need to go we
to the places where they need to go we can successfully coexist with wildlife
the valley is becoming so busy that
the valley is becoming so busy that there are people now who are choosing to
there are people now who are choosing to
there are people now who are choosing to recreation hours and that opens up the
recreation hours and that opens up the
recreation hours and that opens up the whole forest to additional disturbance
whole forest to additional disturbance
whole forest to additional disturbance at a time when wildlife aren’t expecting
at a time when wildlife aren’t expecting
at a time when wildlife aren’t expecting to see people around high human use
to see people around high human use
to see people around high human use wildlife will often move under cover of
wildlife will often move under cover of
wildlife will often move under cover of darkness so once you have people going
darkness so once you have people going
darkness so once you have people going in with a lights at night at a time that
in with a lights at night at a time that
in with a lights at night at a time that wildlife feels sick that they should be
wildlife feels sick that they should be
wildlife feels sick that they should be secure then you’re having a major impact
secure then you’re having a major impact
secure then you’re having a major impact it’s it’s so great to be able to see
it’s it’s so great to be able to see
it’s it’s so great to be able to see what species are using this landscape
what species are using this landscape
what species are using this landscape and for me to be able to know that
and for me to be able to know that
and for me to be able to know that Cougars and wolves and grizzly bears are
Cougars and wolves and grizzly bears are
Cougars and wolves and grizzly bears are still using this area makes me very
still using this area makes me very
still using this area makes me very optimistic but we are approaching a
optimistic but we are approaching a
optimistic but we are approaching a critical point or we may even be at that
critical point or we may even be at that
critical point or we may even be at that critical point and we need to start
critical point and we need to start
critical point and we need to start taking these steps to conserve wildlife
taking these steps to conserve wildlife
taking these steps to conserve wildlife movement through this valley for the
movement through this valley for the
movement through this valley for the long term and we’ve still got a lot of
long term and we’ve still got a lot of
long term and we’ve still got a lot of work to do we’re not there yet
throughout can’t ask his country we have
throughout can’t ask his country we have what we call red zones and we have map
what we call red zones and we have map
what we call red zones and we have map so people understand what those are and
so people understand what those are and
so people understand what those are and we try and make theirs understand what
we try and make theirs understand what
we try and make theirs understand what those are so we just do not tolerate
those are so we just do not tolerate
those are so we just do not tolerate bears within within those red zones or
bears within within those red zones or
bears within within those red zones or no-go zones and right now she’s and
no-go zones and right now she’s and
no-go zones and right now she’s and she’s in a good spot other than there’s
she’s in a good spot other than there’s
she’s in a good spot other than there’s a lot of recreationalists around her
a lot of recreationalists around her
a lot of recreationalists around her our aversive conditioning program works
our aversive conditioning program works
our aversive conditioning program works with individual bears like like 148 here
with individual bears like like 148 here
with individual bears like like 148 here and and we try and teach her
and and we try and teach her
and and we try and teach her individually where she can and can’t go
individually where she can and can’t go
individually where she can and can’t go and monitor for her behavior it looks
and monitor for her behavior it looks
and monitor for her behavior it looks like he might have moved a little bit
like he might have moved a little bit
like he might have moved a little bit back on front of us this is awesome for
back on front of us this is awesome for
back on front of us this is awesome for bears but you know I’ve seen bears eat
bears but you know I’ve seen bears eat
bears but you know I’ve seen bears eat 20 salmon a day and to get the
20 salmon a day and to get the
20 salmon a day and to get the equivalent varies it would probably do
equivalent varies it would probably do
equivalent varies it would probably do take them weeks and weeks and weeks of
take them weeks and weeks and weeks of
take them weeks and weeks and weeks of very feeding they are so focused they’re
very feeding they are so focused they’re
very feeding they are so focused they’re they know this is ephemeral this only
they know this is ephemeral this only
they know this is ephemeral this only lasts for days or weeks so they’re just
lasts for days or weeks so they’re just
lasts for days or weeks so they’re just head down and they’re eating as much as
head down and they’re eating as much as
head down and they’re eating as much as they possibly can and every time
they possibly can and every time
they possibly can and every time bikers are going by it’s a bit of an
bikers are going by it’s a bit of an
bikers are going by it’s a bit of an annoyance and I think that’s what’s
annoyance and I think that’s what’s
annoyance and I think that’s what’s happening now we’re seeing quite a few
happening now we’re seeing quite a few
happening now we’re seeing quite a few cases of bears huffing at people chasing
cases of bears huffing at people chasing
cases of bears huffing at people chasing people because they don’t want to be
people because they don’t want to be
people because they don’t want to be disturbed from eating they don’t they
disturbed from eating they don’t they
disturbed from eating they don’t they just want to carry on doing what they’re
just want to carry on doing what they’re
just want to carry on doing what they’re doing and all when when they’re
doing and all when when they’re
doing and all when when they’re surprised by people it’s that’s not a
surprised by people it’s that’s not a
surprised by people it’s that’s not a good situation for them stay away from
good situation for them stay away from
good situation for them stay away from very booking another thing we’ve been
very booking another thing we’ve been
very booking another thing we’ve been hit by pokeyman going down to the park
hit by pokeyman going down to the park
hit by pokeyman going down to the park so there’s people walking around the
so there’s people walking around the
so there’s people walking around the trails with their life with their
trails with their life with their
trails with their life with their smartphones looking for Pokemon for pika
smartphones looking for Pokemon for pika
smartphones looking for Pokemon for pika juice not looking for grizzly bears
juice not looking for grizzly bears
juice not looking for grizzly bears it’s exciting we can get her through the
it’s exciting we can get her through the
it’s exciting we can get her through the next year or two into Norman I’m mature
next year or two into Norman I’m mature
next year or two into Norman I’m mature adult they tend to figure that a little
adult they tend to figure that a little
adult they tend to figure that a little better but right now she’s that teenager
better but right now she’s that teenager
better but right now she’s that teenager who’s run away from her mother I know
who’s run away from her mother I know
who’s run away from her mother I know maybe she’ll cross the line make some
maybe she’ll cross the line make some
maybe she’ll cross the line make some mistakes and that’s why we’re sitting
mistakes and that’s why we’re sitting
mistakes and that’s why we’re sitting here honor him to make sure she doesn’t
here honor him to make sure she doesn’t
here honor him to make sure she doesn’t really cross any of those lines she’s
really cross any of those lines she’s
really cross any of those lines she’s still moving around a bit probably found
still moving around a bit probably found
still moving around a bit probably found a nice juicy patch berries this is
a nice juicy patch berries this is
a nice juicy patch berries this is awesome because this is that habitat
awesome because this is that habitat
awesome because this is that habitat enhancement blocked we did for ungulates
enhancement blocked we did for ungulates
enhancement blocked we did for ungulates but you can see the berries in here
but you can see the berries in here
but you can see the berries in here really nice out-of-the-way spot and the
really nice out-of-the-way spot and the
really nice out-of-the-way spot and the best part is there’s no people oh yeah
best part is there’s no people oh yeah
best part is there’s no people oh yeah you guys have bear spray this should all
you guys have bear spray this should all
you guys have bear spray this should all be curry there’s a grizzly bear but uh
be curry there’s a grizzly bear but uh
be curry there’s a grizzly bear but uh 50 yards away from me right now and
50 yards away from me right now and
50 yards away from me right now and should be making noise – is she going
should be making noise – is she going
should be making noise – is she going yeah yeah so what the smart people do
with the number of sightings and
with the number of sightings and everything else we’re seeing here
yeah it just we’re getting multiple
yeah it just we’re getting multiple sightings absolutely crazy data
sightings absolutely crazy data
sightings absolutely crazy data conservation officers are working
conservation officers are working
conservation officers are working overtime it’s it’s a great berry crop
overtime it’s it’s a great berry crop
overtime it’s it’s a great berry crop and it’s a great great news for the
and it’s a great great news for the
and it’s a great great news for the Bears the responsibility falls on people
Bears the responsibility falls on people
Bears the responsibility falls on people to behave accordingly and responsibly
to behave accordingly and responsibly
to behave accordingly and responsibly okay so we’re we’re doing a major media
okay so we’re we’re doing a major media
okay so we’re we’re doing a major media blitz campaign going to social media we
blitz campaign going to social media we
blitz campaign going to social media we have people at trailhead sense
have people at trailhead sense
have people at trailhead sense absolutely crazy there’s I think eight
absolutely crazy there’s I think eight
absolutely crazy there’s I think eight or nine warnings close to seven or eight
or nine warnings close to seven or eight
or nine warnings close to seven or eight closures right now of trails
closures right now of trails
closures right now of trails it’s absolutely overwhelming these few
it’s absolutely overwhelming these few
it’s absolutely overwhelming these few weeks that are right in the middle of
weeks that are right in the middle of
weeks that are right in the middle of our prime vacation time are super
our prime vacation time are super
our prime vacation time are super formative for those bears and some
formative for those bears and some
formative for those bears and some people are coming here from farther
people are coming here from farther
people are coming here from farther afield and they came here for a specific
afield and they came here for a specific
afield and they came here for a specific reason I’m gonna see a bear but we all
reason I’m gonna see a bear but we all
reason I’m gonna see a bear but we all know that when humans and Wildlife come
know that when humans and Wildlife come
know that when humans and Wildlife come too close together we could find
too close together we could find
too close together we could find ourselves on a slippery slope that’s
ourselves on a slippery slope that’s
ourselves on a slippery slope that’s smart you know let’s avoid confrontation
smart you know let’s avoid confrontation
smart you know let’s avoid confrontation get a bear spray it’s worth 30 bucks and
get a bear spray it’s worth 30 bucks and
get a bear spray it’s worth 30 bucks and traveling groups make some noise and if
traveling groups make some noise and if
traveling groups make some noise and if you kind of feel uneasy turn around go
you kind of feel uneasy turn around go
you kind of feel uneasy turn around go with your gut it’s important for us as
with your gut it’s important for us as
with your gut it’s important for us as people to step back and go home okay
people to step back and go home okay
people to step back and go home okay what would life be like if we weren’t
what would life be like if we weren’t
what would life be like if we weren’t the center of the universe how can we
the center of the universe how can we
the center of the universe how can we live differently
live differently
live differently at the end of the day is it really that
at the end of the day is it really that
at the end of the day is it really that hard
here we have this wonderful opportunity
here we have this wonderful opportunity to living amongst wildlife and trying to
to living amongst wildlife and trying to
to living amongst wildlife and trying to find this balance where we can do it
find this balance where we can do it
find this balance where we can do it whatever it is we need to do to get
whatever it is we need to do to get
whatever it is we need to do to get through our daily lives but we also have
through our daily lives but we also have
through our daily lives but we also have the opportunity to to know that there is
the opportunity to to know that there is
the opportunity to to know that there is these animals in the same Valley as us
these animals in the same Valley as us
these animals in the same Valley as us where we live in recreation work I
suspect the elk are there one for the
suspect the elk are there one for the green grass and tooth of the security
green grass and tooth of the security
green grass and tooth of the security that that field is offering isn’t it
that that field is offering isn’t it
that that field is offering isn’t it sounds like we’ve been in contact with
sounds like we’ve been in contact with
sounds like we’ve been in contact with each school in the valley here and have
each school in the valley here and have
each school in the valley here and have developed wildlife protocols for the
developed wildlife protocols for the
developed wildlife protocols for the school they are probably kind of
school they are probably kind of
school they are probably kind of surprised and alarmed by the fact that
surprised and alarmed by the fact that
surprised and alarmed by the fact that there’s 60 elk in the school yard but I
there’s 60 elk in the school yard but I
there’s 60 elk in the school yard but I bet you by the second or third day it’s
bet you by the second or third day it’s
bet you by the second or third day it’s oh there’s the elk it becomes part of
oh there’s the elk it becomes part of
oh there’s the elk it becomes part of their routine and I suspect the elk are
their routine and I suspect the elk are
their routine and I suspect the elk are adapting as well and therein lies a bit
adapting as well and therein lies a bit
adapting as well and therein lies a bit of the problem of this whole people
of the problem of this whole people
of the problem of this whole people wildlife interaction thing everybody
wildlife interaction thing everybody
wildlife interaction thing everybody just starts getting used to it but the
just starts getting used to it but the
just starts getting used to it but the concern also is that we do have Cougars
concern also is that we do have Cougars
concern also is that we do have Cougars and wolves in the valley and they play
and wolves in the valley and they play
and wolves in the valley and they play on elk
on elk
on elk you know there’s potentially really
you know there’s potentially really
you know there’s potentially really dangerous situations
when I came back to Cameron I was in
when I came back to Cameron I was in charge of policing here and there was a
charge of policing here and there was a
charge of policing here and there was a very tragic event with Isabel to be but
very tragic event with Isabel to be but
very tragic event with Isabel to be but the end result was we had a death as a
the end result was we had a death as a
the end result was we had a death as a result of an interaction with a grizzly
result of an interaction with a grizzly
result of an interaction with a grizzly bear and a person and that kind of
bear and a person and that kind of
bear and a person and that kind of crystallized people’s thoughts into how
crystallized people’s thoughts into how
crystallized people’s thoughts into how do we solve this but we had a lot of
do we solve this but we had a lot of
do we solve this but we had a lot of really good people who had people with
really good people who had people with
really good people who had people with fire in her belly interested in
fire in her belly interested in
fire in her belly interested in conservation people with money for
conservation people with money for
conservation people with money for development people with government for
development people with government for
development people with government for power we have really the makings of a
power we have really the makings of a
power we have really the makings of a very good group of people to solve a
very good group of people to solve a
very good group of people to solve a problem and that’s how wild smart
problem and that’s how wild smart
problem and that’s how wild smart evolved who here has heard of wild smart
evolved who here has heard of wild smart
evolved who here has heard of wild smart big kids included yeah just to get a
big kids included yeah just to get a
big kids included yeah just to get a recap what are some of the animals that
recap what are some of the animals that
recap what are some of the animals that live around here you can just call them
live around here you can just call them
live around here you can just call them out that’s okay
with wild smart in 2016 I’ll probably
with wild smart in 2016 I’ll probably have completed 80 to 95 presentations
have completed 80 to 95 presentations
have completed 80 to 95 presentations the kids in this valley that they’re on
the kids in this valley that they’re on
the kids in this valley that they’re on it and they’re so interested in the
it and they’re so interested in the
it and they’re so interested in the local wildlife but they also just have a
local wildlife but they also just have a
local wildlife but they also just have a wonder still and they want to explore
wonder still and they want to explore
wonder still and they want to explore and they want to be out which i think is
and they want to be out which i think is
and they want to be out which i think is really the important part you know we
really the important part you know we
really the important part you know we have we should stay wild we just want to
have we should stay wild we just want to
have we should stay wild we just want to be smart about it that’s really the main
be smart about it that’s really the main
be smart about it that’s really the main goal
goal
goal I think the valley is unique in the
I think the valley is unique in the
I think the valley is unique in the sense that we still have these animals
sense that we still have these animals
sense that we still have these animals living amongst us or near us and a large
living amongst us or near us and a large
living amongst us or near us and a large part of the global population is living
part of the global population is living
part of the global population is living in urban areas they don’t know wildlife
in urban areas they don’t know wildlife
in urban areas they don’t know wildlife you know anything about them and it’s
you know anything about them and it’s
you know anything about them and it’s why we should try to maintain that
why we should try to maintain that
why we should try to maintain that current
current
current existence of Wallace so that other
existence of Wallace so that other
existence of Wallace so that other people can come and get a sense for what
people can come and get a sense for what
people can come and get a sense for what that is all about because they’re few
that is all about because they’re few
that is all about because they’re few and far between these days we need to
and far between these days we need to
and far between these days we need to not rest on our laurels and we need to
not rest on our laurels and we need to
not rest on our laurels and we need to stay hungry and we need to try to stay
stay hungry and we need to try to stay
stay hungry and we need to try to stay ahead of the curve because the
ahead of the curve because the
ahead of the curve because the challenges are not going to go away but
challenges are not going to go away but
challenges are not going to go away but I just think of my kids going down to
I just think of my kids going down to
I just think of my kids going down to the soccer pitch and throw it on their
the soccer pitch and throw it on their
the soccer pitch and throw it on their cannon bear spray along with their
cannon bear spray along with their
cannon bear spray along with their helmet part of their makeup this is how
helmet part of their makeup this is how
helmet part of their makeup this is how they go about living and they’re
they go about living and they’re
they go about living and they’re creating in the valley and that’s a
creating in the valley and that’s a
creating in the valley and that’s a culture and that’s that’s the future
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