Why is Wildlife Safety Important
Risk levels are increasing with more people working in areas where wildlife live, attack rates continue to escalate and the number of bears and other wildlife being destroyed for interactions continue to rise.
Grizzly Bear next to bear trap.
Photo Courtesy Alberta Parks
Bear in crusher.
Photo Courtesy Bruce Anderson
Bears are excellent climbers, whether it's trees or industrial structures.
2 Bears helping each other climb up a waste bin.
2 Bears following each other up an industrial ladder.
Grizzly bear inside a building looking through trash.
If you are in charge of safety, it is on you to determine risk, manage for it and ensure staff is provided with the training, protocols and equipment to safeguard their safety and reduce their impacts on bear and other wildlife populations.
There have been recent changes in wildlife safety standards for industry. Before working on sites with wildlife habitat areas, many employers will require workers to certify in bear safety, bear spray training or wildlife awareness training.
If you work in close proximity to bears and other wildlife, you need to learn how to avoid encounters. You also need to be prepared for when it does occur.
