Human Impact Study
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Results
The scientists found that most responses occurred when a vehicle approached closer than 50 meters. The speed of the vehicle and approach angle also effected the probability of a response, with an indirect approach the least threatening. They concluded that drivers can minimize responses by controlling the approach distance, approach angle, and vehicle speed.
The team also identified two behaviors that predicted a response to an approach: lip smacking and body shift. In their report, they recommended that drivers watch for these behavioral cues to minimizes responses by the bears.
In the sound experiment, only 6.1% of the bears responded to the playback trials; none of the bears responded to the control trials.
The team concluded that the bears appeared to quickly habituate to tourist vehicles and human-induced sounds. Indeed, five male bears observed in 2003 did not respond at all to tourist vehicles in 2004.
Published Guidelines
PBI has compiled the results of the study into a handy booklet to distribute to eco-tourism companies in the Churchill area.
The full support of the Churchill community made the project possible. PBI would especially like to thank the Tundra Buggy Adventure, which has played a leadership role in the town's ecotourism industry. In recognition of its contributions, TBA received the 2005 Ecotourism Award from Manitoba Travel, and recently added an environmental scientist to its staff to ensure that its tours remain bear-and tundra-friendly.
The scientists found that most responses occurred when a vehicle approached closer than 50 meters. The speed of the vehicle and approach angle also effected the probability of a response, with an indirect approach the least threatening. They concluded that drivers can minimize responses by controlling the approach distance, approach angle, and vehicle speed.
The team also identified two behaviors that predicted a response to an approach: lip smacking and body shift. In their report, they recommended that drivers watch for these behavioral cues to minimizes responses by the bears.
In the sound experiment, only 6.1% of the bears responded to the playback trials; none of the bears responded to the control trials.
The team concluded that the bears appeared to quickly habituate to tourist vehicles and human-induced sounds. Indeed, five male bears observed in 2003 did not respond at all to tourist vehicles in 2004.
Published Guidelines
PBI has compiled the results of the study into a handy booklet to distribute to eco-tourism companies in the Churchill area.
The full support of the Churchill community made the project possible. PBI would especially like to thank the Tundra Buggy Adventure, which has played a leadership role in the town's ecotourism industry. In recognition of its contributions, TBA received the 2005 Ecotourism Award from Manitoba Travel, and recently added an environmental scientist to its staff to ensure that its tours remain bear-and tundra-friendly.
Page 3 of 3