Behaviour, bears and humans
Publication Type: |
Journal Article |
Year of Publication: |
1982 |
Authors: |
D. R. McCullough |
Publication/Journal: |
Wildlife Society Bulletin |
Keywords: |
bear-human encounters, bears, humans, parks |
Abstract:
Behavioral learning theory can be applied to bear-human encounters in parks. Conditioning of bears to foods of humans represents only part of the problem, and elimination of such food sources will not entirely solve it. Habituation, the loss of fear of humans through lack of negative reinforcement, can occur where bears and humans come into frequent, innocuous contact and is not necessarily dependent upon food conditioning. An active program of negative conditioning may be
necessary in situations where habituated bears cause incidents. No program will eliminate bear problems, but “stalemate” through reinforcement of mutua lfear and respect may be a more appropriate model for minimizing bear-human interactions in parks than “peaceful coexistence.”