12. Black Bear Conservation efforts in Ontario

Abstract

Over the past 200 years, large carnivore range has been decreased due to an increase in human density and influence through agriculture and industrialization. The black bear (Ursusa americanus) is a severely impacted species which has experienced nearly a 50% range loss and has been extirpated from parts of North America. Much public controversy surrounds this species, due to issues associated with hunting, human-bear interactions, and species management strategies. Increasing public awareness of black bear ecology, a charismatic megafauna, will spark positive and pro-conservation efforts across North America. Therefore, area and knowledge-specific education is important in engaging affected communities in black bear ecology and the importance of conservation. The Ministry of Natural Resources has made an effort in these areas by establishing the Bear Wise Program, however there is room within this program for expansion and development of their initiatives. Such expansions include improvement of public education, community outreach and youth awareness of black bears in a holistic ecosystem, versus case specific, approach. Identification of high-impact areas in Ontario would support the allocation of provincial resources to address these issues by implementing changes in local infrastructure, educational development and region-specific management. This project builds off of already established black bear management to increase region and province-wide conservation. The knowledge provided through this project will allow for future efforts across a wide geographical area.