Interactions between wildlife viewers and habituated brown bears, 1987-1992.

Abstract

Public participation in wildlife viewing has increased in recent years in the USA and is expected to continue to increase. The article presents and analyses direct, systematic observations of 322 human interactions with known, habituated brown bears over six consecutive years from 1987-92 at Pack Creek, Alaska, before, during and after conception and implementation of new bear viewing regulations. The site has been popular for bear viewing since the 1930s. The study showed that, overall, bear-human interaction declined after regulation of visitor activity began in 1988. This decline lasted until 1992, even though visitor use increased almost threefold from 1987-92. Rates and types of interaction fluctuated among years and were influenced by individual bears and their age/sex class. The goals of limiting possible human effects on bears and of enhancing human safety could be served by management that: (1) minimizes human-caused interactions, and (2) continues and expands visitor education.