Human-Wildlife Conflict: Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus) and Indigenous Communities

By Alice Hales

Abstract

Due to human activity, the temperature of the atmosphere is on the rise and global climate change is taking its toll (7). Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are an arctic species reliant on steadily declining sea ice (7). The range shifts in polar bears due to food scarcity has pushed them to encroach on urban areas. Due to the dangerous nature of the bears to humans and properties, human-wildlife conflict arises (19). The endangered status of the bears means that both the safety of indigenous communities and the bears conservation are both top priorities (17). Several short-term solutions, such as waste management, proper food storage and education on bear encounters can help to reduce attacks (5). Though co-management between indigenous Inuit communities and conservation biologists is the only way to greatly reduce conflict in the long-term (6). Places such as Nunavut in Canada, have already lead the way with policy changes and local involvement to maintain the dignity of the people and effective management of the animals (8).

Introduction

Defined by the World Wildlife Fund (WWE), human-wildlife conflict is the interaction between humans and animals that negatively impacts the people, animal, resources or habitat involved (19). The frequency and severity of conflict between humanity and animals will likely increase exponentially as climate change progresses (7). The human population is growing larger, and the changing climate is forcing species to migrate away from unfavourable conditions (7).

Polar bear populations (Ursus maritimus) are in the direct firing line of climate change. The temperature increase of the Arctic is causing a 14% decrease in the sea ice habitat annually of the endangered bears (2). Habitat loss has driven the steady decline of bear populations, and those that survive suffer loss of condition, malnourishment, stunted growth and reduced reproduction (2, 13). The additional cost of forced range shifts in polar bears is encroachment on urban areas (17). Local indigenous communities in the Canadian territory claim a dramatic increase in the number of human-bear interactions (17). Polar bears are dangerous predators and pose a great threat to the communities they are now invading (15). Property damage and trash spreading can be extensive, causing financial losses and cleanup after a bear interaction (16). WWF is working with the effected communities to improve food and waste management, conduct community patrols, improve awareness, use of technology and conduct research to combat this conflict issue (18). These solutions are needed, and already proving to be effective; ensuring it does not become a trade-off between human safety and polar bear conservation (15).

Urban Encroachment of Polar Bears

Polar bear prey, comprised largely of seal species, rely on algae that grows on sea ice (15). The reduction of ice induces food shortages for polar bears, forcing them to find alternative nourishment and migrate northward (15). Large portions of polar bear habitat are predicted to become seasonally ice-free in the coming years, including the southern Beaufort Sea (11). Trash-picking, scavenging and defensive behaviour towards humans is becoming a learned behaviour; transmitted from mother to offspring (15).

Bears have been known to attack, injure or kill humans when interactions occur, potentially even seeing us as prey (3). They can cause extensive property damage of up to thousands, inducing financial hardships in targeted areas (3, 16).  Replacing food preservation and transport equipment, or hiring bear monitors are all expensive realities (10). Tourism in arctic areas is becoming more popular, having a positive influence on the economy but increasing risk of interaction (16). Despite the threat they pose, polar bears are endangered and a high priority in conservation (9). Due to conflict with humans, 618 bears were killed in self defence in areas of Canada between 1970 and 2000 (9).

Polar bears have been protected under the ‘International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears and Their Habitat’ since 1973 (6). Though there is debate that the protection of the bears has not kept up with their rapidly changing situation (6). Inuit communities, such as those in Nunavut and Manitoba, are in close proximity to the bears (6, 16). The photo below (Figure 1) shows a bear searching for food in a dumping area in the small town of Arviat in Nunavut (1).

Figure 1. Polar bear searching for food in rubbish heap. Nunavut, Canada. (1)

Management of the Issue

Attracted by the smell of meat, polar bears will seek poorly kept meat or abandoned carcasses (18). Bear-proofing bins (shown in Figure 2) can reduce triggering the animals. Since the installation of these steel disposal structures (Figure 2), the community of Arivat had a decrease in sightings and approximately seven less bears are killed every year (18). Thermal/infrared fencing around dumps is a new cost effective way of monitoring behaviour (18). This technology will send a text message to the person patrolling the area, alerting them of a bear’s presence (18).

Figure 2. Steel food storage bins to deter bears from enticing waste. This has seen a decrease in bear sightings and shootings since installation.  Arviat in Nunavut, Canada (18).

A limitation to many mitigation options is cost. WWF has funded training and steady income for those who work to deter bears and ensure safe communities (18). Bear patrol and work safety workshops combine knowledge from many different places, including Russia, to share the best ways of reducing danger (18). Providing education to those who work in compromising jobs (such as mining or tourism) has increased confidence and reduced fatal accidents when encountering these animals (18).

Long term solutions to human-wildlife conflict in this sense will come from sufficient indigenous involvement and co-management (6, 8). Policies, on the protection of bears and communities alike, will combine traditional values and customs with realistic conservation goals. Change from the top-down takes time and evidence of a problem; yet the solutions above will mitigate the negative impact of the bears while more permanent adaptive capacity is improved.

Local Community Involvement

When conserving a species, it is essential to understand the values and traditions of locals. Without policies that protect the human populations as well, harmful interactions may be elevated and illegal action may be taken (8). The local communities and organisations in Nunavut are acting to resolve human-wildlife conflict together (8). The hunting of polar bears is sacred for Inuit tribes to welcome their children into adulthood; and the number of polar bears in the area was raising safety concerns in the wider community (8). Traditional knowledge and practices should be valued in this situation.

The Government of Nunavut saw the potential for escalated conflict if this rite of passage was taken away from the tribes. Inuit communities hold the bears in high respect and support wildlife management. Co-management of the bears between government, wildlife trusts and Inuit communities is now being put in place (8). The ‘Inuvialuit Land Claim’ has overcome the limitations of conflict allowing indigenous people rights to the land (14). Special permission for traditional hunting on a limited number of the population was retained, biologists work to protect mothers and cubs while few males can be legally harvested (14). Excluding local knowledge and practices in an area, or with a species, escalates conflict and causes tension. Policies combining modern science and indigenous views encourages problem solving and effective management (8). his collaborative approach has helped to mitigate the ill effects of polar bear interactions while allowing traditional customs to continue. A positive outcome for both conservation and the wider community.

Conclusion

Due to a continuous rise in global warming, sea ice has been rapidly disappearing from the arctic (2). Polar bears are predators and threaten the lives and property of humans, inducing human-wildlife conflict. To protect their families and assets, locals are sometimes forced to act against the bears.

Although the bears are under protection, indigenous communities fall victim of lack of policy change to accommodate their values and safety (8). Communities and government in Nunavut, Canada have worked to create a solution. Co-management of indigenous knowledge and practices combined with modern science and biology reduces conflict (8). By acknowledging that Inuit communities have rights to the land and traditional methods, different groups can work together on goals to conserve the bears (6). Education in the workforce and on behaviour, food storage, community patrols, waste management and technology are effective strategies to reduce their chance of negative encounters (12). These mitigation strategies have proven to reduce the number of attacks, accidents, bear sightings and lethal defence (18). Eradicating all conflict between humans and polar bears is unrealistic, though strategies and governing to greatly reduce negative effects are hopeful in the foreseeable future.

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