Research

Electric fencing:

We are working with community partners to test the effectiveness of using electric fencing to keep bears away from landfills. We have so far learned that electric fencing can:

• Reduce human-bear encounters
• Stop bears from being conditioned to getting food from people and garbage.
• Improve safety for landfill attendants.
• Improve the overall cleanliness of the landfill.
• Reduce costs associated with labour and materials required to repair damage.
• Potentially increase the landfill's lifespan.

Bear population:

Since 2004, the Ministry of Natural Resources has been implementing an improved method for estimating the abundance of bears. Using barbed-wire hair traps, we are able to capture hair samples from bears. From these samples, we extract DNA and derive abundance estimates based on captures of individuals identified from their genetic profile.

For wildlife management purposes, Ontario is divided into numbered divisions called Wildlife Management Units. Abundance estimates will be derived for Wildlife Management Units across the province.

We also undertake studies to monitor bear populations, study the effects of food supply on bears and their activity.