In Canada, particularly in provinces like Alberta and British Columbia, wildlife agencies and researchers routinely trap grizzly bears to collar them and perform health assessments to study them and gain valuable insights into their movement patterns, behavior, and conservation needs.
There are various methods trap wild grizzlies but culvert traps are considered the safest method for both bears and humans when live capturing grizzly bears. These large traps utilize a pipe or culverts with one end open and the other closed. Bait is placed at the far end of the cylinder and attached to a trigger mechanism. When the bear tugs on the bait the open end quickly snaps shut trapping the bear. Traps are equipped with bedding and water to keep the bears comfortable during its brief captivity while wildlife professionals attend to their research needs.
The following video is shows a culvert trap in action in the Canadian Rockies as a mother grizzly with two cubs in two wanders into the trap and triggers the mechanism that snaps the door behind her.
The cubs responded to the loud clang of the door snapping shut by bolting but soon returned to their check on their trapped mother. It may seem cruel to separate these young grizzlies from their mother but it is only temporary (welfare protocols require 24-hour maximum captivity) and a necessary inconvenience for the overall health of the population.
Nice work from by the husband and wife team of Paul and Coral Hamilton who returned to the location the following day and documented the bear after it was release with a brand new collar attached to it’s neck.
Parks Canada Bear Encounter Guidelines:
Stop and remain calm. Be ready to use bear spray. Do not run away.
OBSERVE:
Is the bear UNAWARE of your presence?
Move away quietly without getting its attention.
Is the bear AWARE of your presence?
Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws and laying their ears back.
- Stay calm. Calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.
- Speak to the bear. Talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.
- Back away slowly. Never run! Running may trigger a pursuit.
- Make yourself appear BIG. Pick up small children and stay in a group.
- Do not drop your pack; it may provide protection.
If you must proceed, make a wide detour around the bear, move well off the trail or wait at a safe distance for it to move on.
If the bear APPROACHES
Stop and remain calm. Get ready to use your bear spray. Do not run away. Assess the bear’s behaviour and determine why it is approaching.
Is it DEFENSIVE?
The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or surprised by your presence. It sees you as a threat. The bear will appear stressed or agitated and may vocalize.
- Try to appear non-threatening.
- Speak in a calm voice.
- When the bear stops advancing, start slowly moving away.
- If it keeps coming closer, stand your ground, keep talking, and use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact, fall on the ground and play dead. Lie still and wait for the bear to leave.
Is it NON-DEFENSIVE?
A bear may be curious, after your food, or testing its dominance. In the rarest case, it might be predatory–seeing you as potential prey. All of these non-defensive behaviours can appear similar and should not be confused with defensive behaviours.
The bear will be intent on you with head and ears up.
- Speak in a firm voice.
- Move out of the bear’s path.
- If it follows you, stop and stand your ground.
- Shout and act aggressively.
- Try to intimidate the bear.
- If it approaches closely, use your bear spray.