Township of Muskoka Lakes Bear Hazard Assessment January 2006

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1 Township of Muskoka Lakes Bear Hazard Assessment January 2006 The Township of Muskoka Lakes would like to acknowledge the Ministry of Natural Resources through the Bear Wise Program for their support of this project BEAR TTY bears.mnr.gov.on.ca

2 PROJECT OVERVIEW The Ontario Bear Wise program is based on a goal of reducing human bear conflicts. The following bear hazard assessment is the initial step in the process and is intended to define the problem areas within the Township of Muskoka Lakes. The study contains an assessment of the problem areas and reasons for the bear occurrences over a two-year period (2003, 2004) and puts forth recommendations for corrective measures to reduce the number of human bear conflicts. The location of areas where human bear conflicts have occurred within the Township of Muskoka Lakes is defined on the map contained in the report. For the purpose of this study, where there were a number of bear sightings or incidents in the same area on the same day, it was undoubtedly one bear moving through the area and is noted on the mapping as a single occurrence. The reasons behind the situation that lead to a bear occurrence are also documented in the report. There is no question that positive steps can be taken to reduce the number of human-bear occurrences. The study indicates that managing the human-bear conflicts requires proactive measures, based on public education, along with the elimination of non-natural food sources. The best way to avoid a human bear conflict is to prevent it. Brian Sturgeon, B. Sc. Byline Group Environmental Consultants

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4 Topography Vegetation Cottages Settlements Development Farms The Township of Muskoka Lakes is located in the Great Lakes Forest Region of Canada (R.C.Hosie). The Township is characterized by a rocky terrain with a large number of lakes of various sizes. There are three significant lakes in the Township of Muskoka Lakes; Lake Muskoka, the southern portion of Lake Joseph and the southern portion of Lake Rosseau. This region of Ontario contains a wide variety of vegetation, including deciduous and coniferous forests, plus wetland areas with prominent brush species. The mixed forest of conifer and deciduous trees provides excellent tree coverage for wildlife in general and bears in particular. Recreational activities center around the lake system. Cottage development, which began in the early 1900 s has resulted in widespread development around the lake perimeters and to some extent includes backlots. The forested cover throughout the Township of Muskoka Lakes has been maintained despite cottage development, since most cottage owners have a desire to maintain tree cover for appearance and shading through the summer months. Most cottage areas do not have a large presence of undergrowth below the tree canopy. This results in a convenient cover and provides ease of movement for bears in search of food. There are a number of smaller settlement areas in the Township along with the main permanent population base at Port Carling. Population is estimated at 6,042 permanent residents but swells to over 40,000 during the summer season. Economic development is essentially based on the tourist industry. There are a number of resorts, which cater to seasonal tourists as do several area golf courses. Service based industries, including home and cottage construction and boat building, operate within the Township. There are very few agricultural operations in the Township of Muskoka Lakes due to the rather restrictive growing season (heat units). The agriculture present is based on livestock operations and accompanying pastureland.

5 Bear Population Denning Breeding Food Sightings The North American black bear (Ursus spp.) population is estimated to be over 500,000. The Province of Ontario is home to approximately 20% of this population base. This region of the province has a bear density of approximately 50 bears per 100 square kilometers. In order to keep the bear population in check, the province of Ontario issues black bear hunting licenses annually for approximately 10% of the estimated bear population. The hunt begins in early September. The spring bear hunt was eliminated several years ago. Bears den in the winter period during which time they consume a sizable portion of their body weight. Denning normally begins in late October or early November but can be later if there is an adequate food supply coupled with mild weather. In the spring bears emerge from hibernation and begin their search for food. Male bears normally emerge earlier than females (sows). Breeding takes place during the summer months (June to August). Since the female bear will lose a significant portion of her body weight during pregnancy, her overall conditioning will determine her success during pregnancy. The female bear (sow) will normally produce from one to four cubs with two cubs being the average. Bears are omnivorous and will consume a wide variety of different foods, both plants and small animal. Berry crops are perhaps the most common natural food sources for bears. Low brush species like blueberries and wild raspberries provide the required nourishment. Bears travel along ridges looking for nut crops like acorns (Quercus spp.) and beechnuts (Fagus spp.) Regions, like the Township of Muskoka Lakes, with a number of clusters of oak trees and wild berry bushes represent an ideal natural environment for bears. Black bears roam for food, normally in a range of 8 to 15 kilometers. This search for food begins early spring (late April) at the end of denning. They will often roam along an established corridor. Contact with the human population is inevitable during this search for food. As mentioned, the cottage areas present easy transportation since most cottagers have cleared the undergrowth away but have kept the large tree canopy. This makes for easy movement through an area. A black bear is generally timid and will tend to avoid contact with

6 humans. With this in mind, a human-bear occurrence is normally a low risk situation for the public. Non-natural food Adaptation Attractants Food Bears are intelligent animals and learn very quickly. They also have a very acute sense of smell. When their natural food source, such as berry crops, is scarce and/or nonnatural food is readily available, bears will take advantage of a non-natural food source such as household garbage. The more a bear becomes exposed to humans and can take advantage of a non-natural food source the more accustom the bear will become to foraging for this type of food. Hence the bear can quickly adapt to (rummaging through) household garbage. When a person reports a bear sighting, he or she is usually catching a glimpse of a bear as it moves through the area in search of food. Certainly, all bear sightings are not reported to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and/or the Ontario Provincial Police. These two government agencies are the main contact for the public when reporting a bear occurrence. The majority of the public would probably not consider it necessary to file a report when they simply see a bear crossing the road or moving through their property. However, where there was a non-natural food source present, the bear will be drawn to the attractant and that often triggers a bear occurrence report being filed. Therefore, you have a situation where a bear is undertaking a normal search for food and is presented with a readily available food from a range of non-natural food sources and the bear simply takes advantage of the situation The majority of bear occurrence problems appear to relate directly to mismanagement of a food attractant by the home or cottage owner. In reviewing reports of bear occurrences in the region, non-natural food lures covered everything from improperly stored household garbage to one report where freshly baked pies were left by an open window to cool and a bear appeared at the window.

7 Timing The following table is a summary of the timing of bear occurrence in the Township of Muskoka Lakes over the past two years Percentage 20 Percentage Apr/May June July Aug. Sept Apr/May June July Aug. Sept Human-bear occurrences reports peak during the mid summer period. The reason for this peak is twofold. Firstly the bear is in mid season and with berry crops coming on, the natural food source is normally abundant. In addition, this is the time of year when the seasonal population is at its highest level. There are bound to be more sightings. For local residents, seeing a bear travel though an area is not an uncommon occurrence. After all, this is their natural habitat. Seasonal residents on the other hand have less exposure to wildlife and may report a bear occurrence for what would simply be a normal sighting. Waste management Proper containment of household waste would significantly reduce the human bear conflict numbers. The amount of garbage produced by the public greatly increases during the peak summer month of July and August. The waste management program administered by the District of Muskoka provides for weekly curbside pickup of household garage and residents are encouraged to put out their household garbage no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the day of pick up. Also, landfill sites and transfer stations are available and provide extended hours of operation during the summer months. A copy of this information accompanies the report. For cottage owners heading back to the city, garbage pick up may be later in the week and garbage left out several days in advance of pick up is a high risk for attracting bears and other wild life such as raccoons and ravens.

8 Food sources Household garbage is not the only non-natural food attractant for bears. The following graph indicates the range of food sources due to human activity Bird Feeder Sightings 6% 9% 13% 46% Garbage Bird Feeder 12% Sightings 16% 9% 53% Garbage Other Food 35% Other Food 19% As mentioned, the reported cause for a human-bear conflict is essentially based on a non-natural food attractant. Food attractants can also include a number of other situations: leaving food outside in order to feed wild animals like raccoons people continuing to fill bird feeders during summer months food residue like meat scraps placed in a composter the feeding of pets by leaving food outdoors livestock feed improperly stored barbeque with food residue Major problem However, the most common problem by far is incorrect storage of household garbage at a residence. Becoming proactive in terms of eliminating any non-natural food attractant will result in a significant reduction in the number of human bear conflicts.

9 Reporting Elimination Reported sites The public tend to make a call to the police as the first action when sighting a bear. The Ontario Provincial Police will respond to any animal call that represents a safety threat to people or property. In reviewing the bear occurrence data with the Ontario Provincial Police, Bracebridge Detachment, Constable Ted Smith indicated that their detachment receives a number of bear complaint calls over the spring to fall period. In the majority of cases, when an officer responds to a call, the bear has already left the area. When they do respond to a call, the cause is usually a result of poor management of household garbage at the location. Their recommendation is to properly contain the household garbage and by removing the attractant, the bear will leave the area. The Ontario Provincial Police will normally have the Ministry of Natural Resources personnel respond to a bear complaint when MNR staff is available. Rarely is it necessary to kill a bear. If the bear is still in the area, the use of the siren in the cruiser is usually enough to scare the bear away. There have only been two incidents where an officer had to dispatch a bear over the past three years. On July 6, 2003 a bear had to be dispatched on Penman Island in the Township of Muskoka Lakes. (see report attached). Bear sightings or occurrences are an ongoing situation. The map accompanying this report outlines the approximate locations for bear sightings over the past two years (2003 and 2004). The reader will note that there are areas where bear occurrence is relatively high and other regions were sightings are infrequent. Again, it is important to keep in mind that many residents may have an occurrence, yet do not bother to report the occurrence to the Ontario Provincial Police or the Ontario Ministry of Natural resources. The number of bear sightings is undoubtedly higher than the actual reported numbers.

10 Location of bear occurrence reports for the Township of Muskoka Lakes (2003,2004 )

11 Solutions Removal Awareness Waste disposal Containers There is definitely a need for the public to better understand what constitutes a nuisance problem with a bear compared to simply a bear sighting. In those cases where occurrences have been recorded and a site inspection by the Ministry of Natural Resource personnel has taken place, the general recommendation has been to simply remove the non-natural food attractant (often improperly stored garbage) and the problem was solved. Trapping a nuisance bear and removing it from the area has been met with only limited success. Sometimes the trap may be set but the bear does not return to the area. When a bear is trapped, it may simply end up returning to the area after it has been released many kilometers away. Transporting a nuisance bear from one area to another may simply cause a problem for the area receiving that bear. Also, bears are territorial and resident bears in the area may kill the newly-transported bear. Therefore, bear removal and relocation is an expensive, time consuming and relatively unsuccessful way to overcome a problem. Public awareness is the key to reducing human-bear conflicts. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources has undertaken a far reaching awareness campaign to highlight steps the public can take to significantly reduce the bear problem. Again, proper containment of garbage and the elimination of bird feeders during the spring to fall time period would significantly reduce the bear problem. Permanent residents need to ensure that their garbage is not placed out for pick up prior to 8:00 a.m. on garbage day. The same rule applies to seasonal residents. When this is not possible because a family is leaving on a Sunday afternoon, prior to the normal garbage pick up day, they should be encouraged to take their garbage with them and drop it off at one of the transfer stations or landfill sites maintained by the District of Muskoka. The Township of Muskoka Lakes may also want to consider providing some form of subsidy toward the purchase of bear-proof garbage containers for cottagers and homeowners. This type of program would also help to raise the awareness level of the steps necessary to reduce the risk of household garbage becoming a non-natural food attractant for all wild animals, not simply bears.