Revised July/98
Algonquin Park Policy
ALG - 06
POLICY:
Problem Black Bears
OBJECTIVE:
To handle occurrences of problem black bears
GUIDING PRINCIPLE
As per Ontario Parks Business Plan and Algonquin Park Management Plan, Park policy recognizes the
prior right of occupancy of black bears in Algonquin Park as a guiding principle, with reasonable
consideration being given visitor safety and property. This specifically means that a bear will be
destroyed only as a last resort when the individual bear cannot be dissuaded from further association
with humans or when failure to destroy the bear would pose a risk to human safety.
PROCEDURE
CAMPGROUNDS: When a complaint is received, the contractor will inspect the scene. If there is
some obvious attraction, the camper will be informed why there is a problem and what the
consequences to the bear may be. The camper will then be asked to remove the attractions (i.e.
coolers, garbage, etc.) and properly store it. Park Wardens on patrol are expected to carry out proactive work that would prevent attractants of this nature from being left unattended.
All staff who receive bear complaints must document all pertinent information using the “Bear
Occurrence Report” (copy attached) and relay to their respective Contract Administrator, as soon as
possible, who is then to pass this on to the Park Biologist.
If the problem persists, the Contract Administrator or Contractor, will set a mobile culvert trap in the
vicinity and inform the Nuisance Bear Contractor, or if they cannot be reached, the District Duty
Officer, who will in turn notify the Nuisance Bear Contractor. Upon capture of a bear, the Nuisance
Bear Contractor will be contacted immediately, preferably by the Contractor or Contract Administrator,
but (as above) if necessary by the District Duty Officer.
The Nuisance Bear Contractor will handle and release captured bear according to the Provincial
Animal Care Protocol.
If the Nuisance Bear Contractor cannot be reached, the Contract Administrator will arrange to have the
trap properly transported to a designated safe storage area. The Contractor or Contract Administrator
must then notify the District Duty Officer as soon as possible.
When a bear is captured for the first time, the “Bear Data Collection Form” must be completed. The
bear must be tagged and released in a designated release site. If a tagged bear has returned in the same
year and is again causing problems, the animal may be destroyed by the Nuisance Bear Contractor.
The decision to kill a bear must be authorized by the Park Biologist, Hwy 60 Supervisor, Interior
Supervisor, or Conservation Officer. Upon second recapture a bear will normally be destroyed.
Untagged bears will be destroyed only is they are very aggressive and where failure to destroy the bear
immediately would pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.
When a female with cubs is captured, we must make every reasonable effort to capture the cubs and
release the family as a unit.
INTERIOR: Bear problems in the Park Interior will be handled by the Group Leaders. Complaints
will be evaluated on regularity, severity and aggressiveness of the animal. Consider closing the site(s)
by turning the campsite sign and clearly marking it “Closed - Bear Problem” for a short period of time.
If live trapping is ineffective and the problem persists in the general vicinity, the bear may be shot.
Disposition of the carcass will be according to preceding directions (ALG - 05) whenever the area is
reasonably accessible (i.e. motor boat or vehicle). Otherwise, it will be disposed of in a manner and
location prearranged by the Group Leader. Authority to shoot bear in the Interior will be given only to
approved staff (see ALG - 05(c).
DATA COLLECTION
All staff who are involved in the disposition of a bear (relocated or destroyed) shall complete
the “Bear Data Collection Form” (copy attached) and return to the Park Biologist as soon as possible.
The Park Biologist will maintain appropriate files.
INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROBLEM BEARS
Whenever there is a bear posing a problem in a campground or in the Interior, the contractor
responsible for the affected area will inform All parties heading into the area about the animal and the
measures to be taken. This will be done verbally and by distributing published pamphlets as available.
All Ontario Parks staff and contractors should be familiar with the contents and rationale of the
pamphlets.
John Winters
Park Superintendent
Algonquin Park
Effective Date