In past years, black bear have caused considerable damage in beeyards in the Peace River region of Alberta. Bear damage in beeyards has varied between $50,000 and $200,000 per year. Since 1973,...
Description
In past years, black bear have caused considerable damage in beeyards in the Peace River region of Alberta. Bear damage in beeyards has varied between $50,000 and $200,000 per year. Since 1973, Alberta Agriculture had paid a subsidy to beekeepers for constructing electric fences around beeyards. This fencing program has greatly reduced bear damage. However, our data indicate that black bears penetrated electric fences during 19 percent of the bear visits. To alleviate damage these offending individuals were foot snared and shot or translocated. Approximately 600 bears have been captured at beeyards by government personnel since 1972. In addition several hundred bears have been removed by beekeepers during the same period.