CNC researchers ask people to collect and send in samples, the fresher the better<\/p>\n
The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is seeking to scoop up some valuable data on urban bears’ activity for an important wildlife research project.<\/p>\n
CNC is asking people to help clean up after urban bears and send the droppings\u00a0to the college for examination.<\/p>\n
\u201cPick it up just like you would dog poop,\u201d said Vanessa Fetterly, senior researcher with CNC Research Forest. \u201cWe only need a small amount, about the size of a golf ball, and the fresher, the better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project, now in its second year,\u00a0is expanding through a partnership with the Calgary Zoo, adding the ability to provide scientific comparisons to better understand bear behaviour and stress levels.<\/p>\n
CNC stated that the project saw strong support in its first year, with more than 66 people contributing more than\u00a0130 samples from places like\u00a0College Heights, downtown, Moore\u2019s Meadow and Ginter\u2019s Meadow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were thrilled with the level of engagement from the community last year,\u201d said Fetterly. \u201cEvery sample helps us better understand where bears are spending time, whether those interactions are positive or negative, and how we can make Prince George safer for both people and wildlife.\u201d<\/p>\n
Analyzing the\u00a0samples allows researchers to determine\u00a0whether bears are male or female, assess their stress levels\u00a0and identify patterns in their urban\u00a0behaviour.<\/p>\n
Through the partnership with the Calgary Zoo, the samples and information on bear habits can then be compared with samples from wild bears, with the zoo’s captive bears living in a lower-stress environment<\/p>\n
\u201cIf bears in the city are experiencing higher stress, it\u00a0can influence behaviour and increase the risk of negative encounters,” said Fetterly.<\/p>\n
CNC stated that the ultimate goal of this project is to identify areas in and around the city with high bear activity and understand what may be attracting them to these areas in order to develop better strategies to deal with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing bear-smart makes our community safer,\u201d added Fetterly. \u201cThis project is a unique\u00a0way for people to directly contribute to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are two ways for those interested to participate if they find a suitable sample that they wish to donate.<\/p>\n
\n\tTake a photo:\u00a0Take\u00a0a photo of it and text it, along with the general location, to 778-349-4813, and the research team will collect the sample
\n\tPersonal delivery: Collect the sample with a bag and drop it off at the designated \u201cbear poop fridge,\u201d which is located beside the geodome greenhouse near the ATCO trailer at CNC\u2019s Prince George campus
<\/p>\n
Those who decide to turn in a sample are asked to:<\/p>\n
\n\tTake a photo of the sample before collecting
\n\tCollect a small amount (golf-ball size is plenty)
\n\tLabel the bag with the date and general location (street name only)
\n\tStore samples in a freezer or cooler if they can\u2019t be delivered right away
<\/p>\n
If you happen to capture images of the bears doing their business on a trail or security camera, send those images in as well.<\/p>\n
Samples will be accepted until bears begin their hibernation in late October.
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