Black bears are moving into the neighborhood. How do we coexist?
Summary
This Science Friday episode explores the resurgence of black bear populations in the southeastern US, featuring reporter Cassandra Stevenson on their historic habitat and Dr. Naima Harris on human-wildlife coexistence. The discussion covers why bears are moving into backyards, the importance of managing attractants like trash and bird feeders, and the ecological roles bears play as seed dispersers. Harris emphasizes the need for aversive conditioning to keep bears wild and prevent habituation, drawing parallels to global carnivore management strategies.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Brooklyn Solarworks, Audible, and Progressive
Intro: Black bears appearing in unexpected places
Interview start: How Cassandra Stevenson found the story
Historical decline of bear populations in the Southeast
Recovery efforts and the failed Canadian bear transplants
Wildlife agencies view the rebound as a success
Sponsors: Science Delivers, Allen Institute, Heising Simons
National bear population stats and coexistence challenges
Why bold bears are causing concern in neighborhoods
Best practices: Managing trash and attractants
Bear diet: Omnivores and their ecosystem roles
Bear behavior: Hunting habits and public perception
The dangers of habituation and social media trends
How bears perceive humans and risk of conflict
Aversive conditioning and hazing techniques
Global lessons on coexisting with large carnivores
Outro: Listener call-in and production credits
Sponsor: Columbia Hernia Center
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