RCMP takes over Bear Smart program in the Pass

The Bear Smart program in the Crowsnest Pass is now operating under the oversight of the local RCMP detachment, following the decision by Fish and Wildlife to discontinue its support of the initiative. The transition aims to maintain the program’s effectiveness in mitigating human-bear conflicts while ensuring continued public education and safety measures.

“The local Fish and Wildlife did not wish to continue their support of the program and the local RCMP Detachment had been approached in regard to maintaining Bear Smart,” said Sgt. M. Amatto, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Crowsnest Pass RCMP detachment, “As Bear Smart has been successfully providing aversive conditioning of wildlife for many years, there is an identified need within the community to mitigate contact between bears and people, this was a good fit for RCMP to lend a helping hand.”

Despite the shift in oversight, the core functions of Bear Smart will remain unchanged, with its volunteers continuing to provide aversive conditioning to deter bears from residential and populated areas. The key difference now is the added oversight of an RCMP officer.

“Bear Smart will continue to provide aversive conditioning of wildlife, the only difference being, there will be oversight provided by an RCMP officer to ensure appropriate precautions are undertaken to ensure the safety of members of the community and the public at large,” said Amatto, “As Bear Smart had already established a healthy working relationship with the local Detachment, the transition has been smooth.”

A major aspect of Bear Smart’s mission is to educate residents on reducing bear attractants and preventing encounters. According to Amatto, that work will continue uninterrupted.

“Bear Smart will continue to provide education to the public as they have in the past,” he said, “Bear Smart will be operating under the authority and guidance of the RCMP in order to allow their program to be delivered in a safe and effective manner.”

With the RCMP now involved in the program, officers will be working alongside experienced wildlife professionals to ensure best practices are followed in bear deterrence efforts.

“One of the many advantages of working in a partnership with one another, is that knowledge, skills and experiences are shared, discussed and improved upon,” said Amatto, “We have the added benefit of working alongside a retired Fish and Wildlife officer with 34 years of experience, who carries the knowledge gained from a specialized background in dealing with problem wildlife, been a Team Lead in Predatory Response Teams, and who has partaken in numerous mauling investigations and self-defense occurrences involving wildlife; as well as the volunteer core that completes the Bear Smart team.”

While Fish and Wildlife will no longer oversee Bear Smart, the agency remains involved in wildlife management in the region.

“Fish and Wildlife officers are the experts in the protection and conservation of Alberta’s natural resources and they keep people and property safe from wildlife; as such, their expertise will be drawn upon when it is appropriate to do so,” Amatto said, “Fish and Wildlife officers are a valued Provincial partner to the RCMP, their opinions, actions and support are sought on a regular basis. Specialized services, such as bear traps for example, remained solely in Fish and Wildlife’s wheelhouse.”

For the first time in Alberta, Bear Smart is being integrated with the Citizens On Patrol (COP) program, allowing volunteers to play a dual role in wildlife management and crime prevention.

“Bear Smart and the Citizens on Patrol programs are, for the first time in Alberta, being integrated to better serve the area of the Crowsnest Pass,” said Amatto, “These valued volunteers will not only provide aversive conditioning of wildlife but will also participate in community-based crime prevention initiatives with their local RCMP Detachment. 

A policing approach tailored to the specific needs of the Crowsnest Pass was developed in response to input from community members and their elected officials, and it is now being implemented. The transition of Bear Smart under the RCMP reflects a broader effort to enhance public safety and community engagement in the Crowsnest Pass.

“The RCMP are responsible to uphold the law, maintain peace, and provide quality service in partnership with the communities we serve, in this instance, supporting a program that provides a valuable service to the community and local bear populace, was the appropriate and responsible thing to do,” Amatto said.

With the Bear Smart program continuing its work under new leadership, residents can expect ongoing efforts to reduce bear-human interactions while strengthening overall community safety.