research

The Whitehorse Bear Working Group hired Wind River Consulting to do a bear risk assessment in 2015. Read the full report and recommendations here.

In 2017 WildWise investigated the food conditioning of bears along the Skagway Rd. (see Education). Our conversations with tour operators revealed an opportunity to develop educational resources for tour operators and tourists about food conditioning and reducing conflict. We set out to investigate what tour operators are doing and what they need in order to provide accurate information and improve safety for their staff and clients. The next step is to develop partnerships and resources. Read the results of our survey here.

With support from the City of Whitehorse and Environment Yukon we set out to investigate steps that other communities have taken to reduce conflict with bears. We included seven communities and researched their approaches, focusing on solid waste management, bylaws, enforcement and education. This gives us valuable information that will help Yukon communities adopt bear smart practices. Please read the document here.

outreach

WildWise hits the road! Click here to read about our door to door outreach in the Yukon's Southern Lakes communities.

We also extended our door to door outreach this summer to Copper Ridge, Carmacks, Mount Sima, Wolf Creek and Spruce Hill.

Read the report here.

education

We are working on mapping conflicts reported to Yukon Government's Conservation officers. Click here to visit an interactive map of conflicts in the Whitehorse area from 2012-2017 and stay tuned as we will add other districts in the near future.

You may have noticed some attractive posters around your neighborhood, encouraging you to keep your pets and wildlife safe. Click here for more info.

Our trail sign project aims to help keep humans, pets and wildlife safe while sharing those beautiful Yukon trails.

Food conditioned bears along the Skagway Road.

In collaboration with the Carcross & Tagish First Nations, CT/RRC, Environment Yukon and Parks Canada we monitored human interactions with bears and delivered education about bear behavior and the dangers of food conditioning this summer along the Carcross and Skagway Roads. In response to concerns from all partners and residents in the area about road safety and negative human-bear interactions we encouraged tourists and tour companies not to use the highway shoulders for bear viewing and not to feed the bears. Read the full report here.

It is exciting to see a bear on the side of the road! Please read this brochure to get 'up to speed' with safe roadside viewing etiquette.

programs

Bears love chicken and have been raiding chicken coops in Whitehorse and the surrounding area for years. In 2018 we tested the market for bear safe eggs by enrolling 4 egg producers in a pilot program. Read about how to join our Bear Smart Egg Producer Program here.

Bear Friendly Business Program

This one is also new. Are you a business that does something to reduce negative human-wildlife encounters? We would like to feature your business on our website and send business your way. Check out our homepage for examples and send us your feedback. How can this program benefit you and how can we help you become a bear friendly business?

skagway road research project

Read about our 2016 work along the Skagway road to better understand wildlife viewing and food conditioning.

2017 door to door summary report

Find out what we found out when we talked with people about human wildlife conflict this year.