CHUKOTKA POLAR BEAR PATROL: History, principles, experience, plans and prospects

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2 CHUKOTKA POLAR BEAR PATROL: History, principles, experience, plans and prospects Andrei Boltunov and Viktor Nikiforov Human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation workshop Tromsø, Norway, February 25-28

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4 Towns (4) villages / settlements (27) weather stations (21) Other (6)

5 towns villages / settlements weather stations POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points (13) Brigades (7) other

6 WHAT IS POLAR BEAR PATROL? Informal movement, involving local residents, employees of polar weather stations, researchers Initiated by WWF Russia Currently this PBP has the following structure: Support, methods, ideas, coordination

7 POLAR BEAR PATROL Information collection points brigades Community-based monitoring of polar bears in vicinities of villages

8 Information collection points POLAR BEAR PATROL brigades Community-based monitoring of polar bears in vicinities of villages Education of kids, instructions to people about polar bear safety rules

9 Information collection points POLAR BEAR PATROL brigades Community-based monitoring of polar bears in vicinities of villages Education of kids, instructions to people about polar bear safety rules Active work on preventing polar bear conflicts Get more active support: snowmobiles, radio, other equipment

10 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

11 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

12 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

13 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

14 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

15 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

16 POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK Information collection points brigades

17 Valkarkai Billings Ambarchik Rauchua Aion Yanranai Ryrkaipiy Neshkan Enurmino Inchoun Uelen Lavrentiya POLAR BEAR PATROL NETWORK CHUKOTKA

18 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation Collect all information about possible polar bear approach Keep an eye on polar bears near villages

19 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation Prevent their entering a village

20 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation Make feeding points to change polar bear path

21 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation If a bear is in a village act quickly and consciously

22 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation If a bear is in a village act quickly and consciously Using fire pump.

23 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation Sometimes the problem bear must be killed

24 POLAR BEAR PATROL CHUKOTKA: human-polar bear conflict reduction and mitigation Sometimes the problem bear must be killed In such cases all formal procedures must be completed Causes of the incident must be thoroughly analyzed Measures to prevent such cases must be undertaken

25 POLAR BEAR PATROL: lessons we have learned Forming the PBP I. Local people who participate in the PBP have to be motivated: Interesting Reward Comprehend and accept the project objectives and be ready to answer our numerous silly questions II. Find right person (s) III. Instruct IV. Provide basic support (equipment) V. Pay for their labour. VI. Personal contact with all participants (25 now)

26 POLAR BEAR PATROL: lessons we have learned The bears MUST be away from people. Find and if possible remove objects attractive for polar bears. Monitoring presence of bears in settlement vicinities (collect all available information: hunters, fishermen, track drivers, pilots, etc.) If polar bears appear in vicinities inform people. Take measures to prevent the bears coming to the village. Remind people safety rules.

27 POLAR BEAR PATROL: plans and prospective Keep system working Develop the system Rear new generation

28 Thank you!