In the framework of the project LIFE DINALP BEAR – Population level management and conservation of brown bears in northern Dinaric Mountains and the Alps a new leaflet was prepared entitled Keep bears wild and away from human foods.
Conflicts between humans and brown bear (Ursus arctos) populations in Europe remain an ongoing threat to the conservation status of bears and steps must be taken to improve coexistence. Therefore a numerouse activities adressing this problem are being performed in the framework of the project LIFE DINALP BEAR. Among them are also public awareness raising activities, since we ourselves can participate in solving the problem mentioned. In rural Slovenia almost each house has a garden and a compost bin, often containing all organic waste. Beside garbage and compost bins, illegal rubbish dumps, especially in the vicinity of human settlements, are one of the most important attractants for bears. The problem is even greater because on such rubbish dumps people often dispose also slaughter remains. All these places represent easily accessible food sources for an opportunistic omnivores such as brown bears.
Easily accessible anthropogenic food sources near settlements represent the main cause for human-bear conflicts and attract bears closer to people and their houses. When such food sources are regularly obtained near human settlements, bears may eventually lose their fear of people and can equate human presence with food, which can lead to unwanted and sometimes even dangerous situations. Therefore the the new leaflet Keep bears wild and away from human foods is informing the general public on the necessity of preventing bears from accessing garbage, compost bins, orchards, beehives, livestock, silage bales and other food sources found in human settlements.
The leaflet is available in five languages: English, German, Croatian, Italian and Slovenian.
