No thanks. I already ate.: bear-proof container testing

Saturday, November 1, 2008

bear-proof container testing

Here is a video of a BearBins wildlife-resistant trash container being tested using captive grizzly bears. Containers are baited with foods, latching mechanisms are smeared with attractants such as molasses and placed in with the bears to test for effectiveness, using protocols established by the Living with Wildlife Foundation. This testing is done at The Grizzly Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, MT.

View a slideshow of wildlife-resistant container testing here:

Another testing video can be found on the BearSaver web site:

http://www.bearsaver.com/PolyCart_Video.htm

Bears are given 60-minutes to fail the containers and access food rewards and containers that withstand the onslaught are star-rated in their abilities in being bear-resistant. Containers that have passed product-testing can be viewed here. I've been told that the bears remember where containers failed in previous testing and immediately test any new design modifications, one year after the previous test.

1 comment:

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how you can help

Most importantly is to remove any attractants from your property that will lure bears, which creates "problem" bears in the first place. Remove the food source and you remove the bear. Here are a few other ways you can contribute:

• Be a good neighbor, by talking to them, and notifying them on how to not attract bears to your neighborhood.

• Make bird feeders inaccessible on first sign of bears being in your area. All it takes is once, and bears easily recall this valuable, high-caloric food reward (a seven pound tube of black oil birdseed contains 12,000 calories).

• If you have fruit trees and actually use the fruit and dont want damage to limbs, get all fruit off the tree, shake the fruit off if necessary and pick before fruit is ripe. Remove any and all fallen fruit from the ground.

• Report bear sightings.

• Notify your elected officials when you are experiencing bear issues. Or write a letter to the editor. People that draft policy don't address something they never hear about.

• Get a wildlife-resistant trash container for your home. If you have a dumpster, talk to your waste provider about upgrading or modifying with metal lids and latches to make it wildlife-proof.

• If you live in the county, consider electric fencing to protect things of value from damage, injury or death from bears.

• Feel free to help out financially. We accept contributions year-round, not just during bear season.

• Volunteer some time during bear season.

Please allow bears to remain wild bears.