To demonstrate what kind of services we can provide in this field, below we describe actual cases when we were contracted to investigate and mitigate wildlife problems in residential areas. People usually call us because, understandably, they are afraid of  predator species such as black and grizzly bears and cougars. In the process of  the investigation of the situation and finding the right preventative actions we always educate our clients about these species and the coexistence with them. People are usually afraid of what they don't know. If we learn about these animals and their habits and do the right things to prevent conflicts with them, fear will turn into respect.

Case #1

A family called us in September that they have seen a black bear a few times on their property east of Calgary and they believed that it got into their bird feeders. They had small children and they were concerned that the bear will return again.

Investigation:

As always, I conducted a thorough investigation of the property and the surrounding area. The yard was adjacent to the Elbow River. From the northwestern corner of the unfenced yard there was a trail going downhill to the river at the valley bottom. Behind the large deck, on the northern side of the yard, there was thick bush, the west and south side was bordered by a small wooded area. There was only one direct neighbor, on the east side, who was on an extended vacation so their property was unoccupied temporarily.  Most of the yard was covered by grass. I found several bird feeders on the deck. The bear was apparently feeding from them since there were seeds on the deck all around underneath the feeders and one of them was damaged. There was also a plywood box full with bird seeds on the deck that the bear accessed since the box was not locked. Even if the lid was locked it would’ve been easy for a bear to smash the plywood. Fortunately the garbage was kept in a locked storage. However, I found a compost bin next to the deck that the bear also fed from. There were bear scats in the yard which apparently had residuals of crabapples. There was no crabapple tree in the yard; however the neighbor had several of them.

Solution:

I explained the followings to the owners: This was a classic situation of how bears get into trouble in residential areas. They move along the rivers and creek beds in natural habitat which often lead them to human populated areas. Bears are opportunistic; therefore once they get there, they might explore the area and find the available attractants. They (my clients) live along a natural wildlife corridor, the Elbow River. Furthermore, the yard is surrounded from three sides by bush or trees that provide an opportunity for bears to approach the yard in cover, unnoticed.

Grass is important bear attractant only in the spring and early summer, but that time bears are usually attracted to larger areas covered with grass, such as golf courses. However, it’s important to keep the lawn mowed and do not let weeds growing in it, especially dandelion and clover that are strong attractants.

It is very important to not use bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, at least when the bears are most active, from April to October. The best would be to restrict them from December to February or even better, avoid using them entirely. The birdseed bin should be locked inside the building. The compost bin should be made bear resistant for example by an electric fence. If they wish I can get and install one for them.

The crabapple in the neighbor’s yard is also a major concern. When the neighbors return they should convince them to substitute those trees with not fruit bearing ornamental trees. If they need my assistance I am more than happy to talk to the neighbors, as well.

It is excellent that they keep the garbage locked inside the building. However, they should be careful and take out the garbage only in the morning of the pick-up day. Even one night outside before the pick-up day is more than enough for a bear to find it. Eating from trash even a single time can ruin a bear’s life. They quickly learn to associate people with garbage, thus high-calorie food, and they will return and/or seek for it on other properties. Eventually they usually get relocated or, depending on the situation, even euthanized.

Later, during my follow-up call, my clients told me that they took down the bird feeders, locked the birdseed container inside the building and got rid of the compost bin. The bear had not showed up again and they felt relieved.

Case #2

We were contacted by a lady who leaves in the Bragg Creek area. She said she heard a noise the previous night from behind her house that she believes was a screaming of a cougar and she is afraid of the predator lingering around her property at nights.

Investigation:

When I arrived to the house the owner was not home. There were two dogs inside the building. There was a forested area right behind the house. I scanned through the yard and a reasonable area of the forest adjacent to the property looking for signs such as cougar tracks, but most importantly any carcasses. Cougars are often attracted into residential areas by ungulates that seek refuge from predators. If they make a kill they will hide the left over. They cover the carrion with forest debris such as dead fallen leaves. They don’t do a perfect job and usually parts of the body stick out from the cover. If they hide the carcass in residential areas it is a high risk situation because cougars might protect the cache from people if they approach the area. I did not find any signs of cougar activity, however, the area was heavily used by deer that was revealed by several wildlife trails and deer droppings.

Solution:

After the investigation I talked to the owner. I explained that cougars often occur in this area and their main prey, deer, live just behind her house and most probably sometimes walk through even her yard. She confirmed it saying she often sees them from her window. I further explained that although I did not find any signs for cougars in her yard and the forested area behind it and the vocalization she heard might have come from coyotes, the forest can provide an excellent cover for big cats or even bears to approach her yard unnoticed. My advises were the following: 1) For the time we figure out if there is any predator activity around the house, when she comes out from the house at night she should carry bear spray that works well on all offensive wildlife. She might want to do it even during the day since her property is well aside from other properties. 2) Never let her dogs out unattended since cougars often prey on dogs. Even if only coyotes are around, they can also attack her pets. 3) We should set up wildlife cameras to see what is around. 4) We can set up a noise deterrent device at the edge of the treed area, right behind the building where she heard the screaming coming from. 5) I suggested that if at night she hears suspicious noises or hears the noise deterrent triggered she should also turn on the outdoor lights. The best would be installing motion sensing lights for both the front and the back side of the building which are often effective deterrents. 6) If she goes in the forest behind she should have bear spray with her and keep the dogs on leash.

She wanted to set up cameras and a noise deterrent for a month. During the one month monitoring I captured images only of deer. The noise deterrent was triggered several times at night, most often by the deer. After two weeks I did the sweep once more in the yard and the forested area, but did not find any evidence for cougar activity. I offered the owner to purchase the installed noise deterrent, but since she did not hear cougar/coyote vocalization anymore and no evidence of predator activity was found by me, she did not choose to keep it.  Later on during my follow up call she told me that she have had motion sensing lights installed.

As a result of my work the client was deeply relieved. However, I emphasized again that her house is right next to cougar and bear country and those animals can show up close to her property or even in her yard. She should always be aware of signs of predators and be extra vigilant when it is dark outside for her own and her pets’ safety. I offered my further services for the future if any wildlife problem occurs.

Case #3

A resident, who lived east of Calgary, left us a message in September that an animal damaged the railing of his deck. He was certain it was a bear because, he said, he found its scat. I asked him for saving the scat and visited his yard at the very same day.

Investigation:

After arriving to the property I looked around in the yard that had no fence. I did not find any natural food source that could have been an attractant for bears, except grass which however does not typically attract them into backyards in the fall. This time of the year they are much more after different types of berries as well as fruit trees which I did not find in the yard. I came across several piles of deer droppings. On the deck I found a few broken panels of the railing that were still hanging down from the frame. Apparently the animal climbed onto the deck and, when squeezing through, broke some of the panels. I did not find any hair on the panels or deck that could've been a clue for the species. At this point the owner showed me the scat he found. By size, and even shape, it could have been from a black bear or even a juvenile grizzly. However, it was apparently from a dog feeding on dry pet food. It was solid and homogeneous and smelled like dog feces that is distinct from the smell of bear scats.

In the fall grizzly bears dig a lot for roots that makes their feces homogeneous, solid and pale colored, but they are very few grizzlies on the landscape in this close proximity to Calgary. Black bears, in our area, usually prefer to feed on various types of berries and fruits this time of the year to gain fat for hibernation. Since they are originally carnivores their digestive system does not digest fruits well and so pieces of fruits/berries can be often founded in their scats, along with seeds. They will also eat carrion or prey on animals if the opportunity rises, just like any other time of the growing season. If they feed on animals there will be hair and/or bone pieces in their feces.

Garbage containers were also found in the yard untouched, with trash in them. This is important finding, because if a bear had been there, it most probably would have exploited the trash. Human garbage almost always have food residuals that is excellent carbohydrate and protein source for bears.

Solution:

I basically did not find any evidence for a bear has been on the deck or even in the yard. However, the property owner did not seem to be convinced. Therefore, I offered him setting up wildlife cameras to see if the animal comes back at the following nights. He accepted the offer and I set up one camera in the yard and another one on the deck. I went back to check on the SD cards of the cameras in the following afternoon. There had been no pictures made by the camera on the balcony, however the other one in the yard captured pictures of a couple of deer and a large size dog. No bears showed up in the pictures even after a week. At that point the owner accepted that it was most probably the dog that broke the railing panels of the deck and the cameras were dismantled. I told him to contact me if he finds any signs of possible bear activity in the future.