Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - Environment and Natural ...

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP)
Capture, Handling & Release of Bears
Wildlife Care Committee Primary Author: Dr. Marc Cattet Version 2 - 2011
Bears are typically regarded as problem wildlife when their activities
threaten human lives or property. In contrast to research and other
management activities, the capture and handling of problem bears is often
an emergency situation where control of the problem animal must be
achieved as quickly as possible. In such cases, animal safety may need
to be compromised to some extent (e.g., capture at sensitive times such
as immediately prior to den entry, capture at high ambient temperature,
prolonged chase, etc.), especially when human life is threatened. In some
circumstances, it may be more acceptable to humanely kill a problem bear
than to attempt a difficult capture where the probability of injury and
excessive stress is high.
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