Sverdlovsk ethologist told about the new generation of bears

In the frequent exits of bears to settlements to blame the people themselves. About this on the air of the radio station “City of FM 107.6” said the creator and head of the Center for the rescue of wild animals “Alfa”, ethologist Kirill Potapov.

According to the expert, one of the main reasons is affordable food: due to spontaneous landfills and bait along the roads, animals get used to the fact that people and cars are associated with light food.

“Often the person arranges spontaneous landfills, animals go to garbage, often feeding bears along the roads. These are entire generations of bears raised, in which humans and machines are associated with light food, said Kirill Potapov.

Another factor is crop failure in the forest: when there are not enough berries, cones and other natural food, animals have to look for food closer to human housing. At the same time, the bear is actively preparing for hibernation and must accumulate enough fat, so the need for calories is especially high.

The expert emphasizes that a person has almost no chance in a direct encounter with a predator.

“Man has no chance at all over animals – our anatomical and physical characteristics are inferior to the bear and other predatory mammals,” he said.

Kirill Potapov gave some practical advice for those going to the forest.

Make noise. Bears are shy animals, and an organized group that speaks, sings, or knocks loudly will likely not meet anyone.

Store food properly. Products should be removed in special containers so that the smell does not attract animals. Use protective equipment. On the hike, you should carry a false firearm (smoke alarm device) - it should be at hand, and not lie deep in a backpack. For the night, you can use an electric shepherd - a energized fence around the camp.

Don't provoke. Don’t try to “negotiate” with the bear or check how friendly it is. It is also important to recognize signs of aggression. If the bear stands on its hind legs, it just looks around and shows curiosity. But the attack occurs with four legs: the predator lowers its head and makes a sharp leap forward.

The expert is sure that it is possible to reduce the number of conflicts with wild animals only through the formation of a culture of relations with nature.

“In order to eliminate such conflicts with animals, it is necessary to form a culture of relationship with nature in man. And then we will not meet bears on the streets of villages and cities, said Kirill Potapov.

In particular, he proposes to introduce educational programs in schools and kindergartens so that people from childhood understand the role of animals in the ecosystem and know how to behave in the wild.

“Man has now dissociated himself very much from the animal kingdom, and that is why we are now in such a conflict with nature. In fact, bears are very shy animals, and if you walk in organized groups and sing songs, shout, knock, no one will meet, said Kirill Potapov.

Earlier, MK-Ural wrote that in the Sverdlovsk region bears increasingly come out of the forest to people. In Krasnoturinsk since the beginning of September, clubfoots near residential buildings have been seen about 20 times. On September 28, the bear was spotted in SNT No. 18 near section No. 26. On the night of September 27, the animal was also seen on Novaya Street, 57, and in SNT No. 3 near Precinct 7.