Thursday, August 7, 2008 | 01:15 PM ET
What should you do if you see a bear? Why are they coming into residential areas? How can we become more "bear aware?"
![paquet_maggie.jpg](https://webarchiveweb.wayback.bac-lac.canada.ca/web/20080910214336im_/http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourinterview/paquet_maggie.jpg)
Maggie Paquet
Maggie Paquet is a B.C. biologist specialising in environmental and wildlife issues. She is currently writing a bear-people conflict management plan for the District of North Vancouver. She asked that we include the following preface to her answers:
"First, I am not an expert in the specialised field of bear safety. I have some expertise in bear biology and in public education about how to be 'bear aware.' The basic rules when you do see a bear are:
- Stay calm, stand still and assess the situation.
- Speak in a calm but firm voice so the bear can identify you as a human.
- If you have a small child or dog with you, pick it up.
- Back away slowly and do not make eye contact with the bear.
- If you have pepper spray with you and know how to use it, get it ready.
- NEVER run; this could trigger pursuit.
- Once out of sight of the bear, get out of the area quickly.
If you want to learn more about bears and their behaviours, and on how to be safe in bear country, I recommend getting a copy of the video, 'Safety in Bear Country;' also available in public libraries. And I highly recommend buying (or checking out of your local library) a copy of the book: Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance, by Stephen Herrero, 1985, ISBN: 0-941130-82-7. That’s the volume I have; but it was updated in 2002. Dr. Herrero is recognised all around the world as an expert in this field. This book is fascinating reading. In his introduction, he says this:
'…I love bears and the wildlands where they live. Bears have fascinated me, scared me ‘til my heart pounded, and inspired me… They have helped me to learn about the diversity of life on earth and how nature works. Few biologists can study bears without seeing in them traits that are distinctly human. Such traits make people feel a strong attachment toward bears. Needless killing of bears elicits compassion and anger in me. We know how to do things better, how to make bear country safer for both bears and people. This book tells some ways to do this.'"
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