Injured bear too comfortable with humans, Calgary wildlife biologist worries

A Calgary wildlife biologist is concerned that an injured black bear is becoming conditioned to human contact the longer it'sallowed to remain in the wild without being rehabilitated, despite an Alberta government policy designed specifically to prevent that outcome.

The youngblack bear, which has been spotted every few days for monthsin a farmer's fieldalong Highway 22, about 40 kilometres west of Calgary,favours one of its hind legs and doesn't allow the otherto touch the ground.

"We really, really hope that veterinarian intervention can happen here,"LisaDahlseidetold CBC News on Friday.

• Time running out to save injured black bear, Calgary biologist says

She says the bear has been showing signs of chronic pain and unusual behaviour, like excessively licking his wounded leg.

A concerned citizen left a deer carcass in the field, but it was removed by Alberta Fish and Wildlife, Dahlseide says.

"He is definitely conditioned to that presence of humans, he doesn'teven lift his head with people approaching the fence. So that's a concern. We want to maintain that wildness. So I don't feel that he's getting that opportunity being in the position he's in."

Dahlseideis part of a group trying to convince Alberta Fish and Wildlife to allow them to move the bear to a nearby rehabilitation centre in Cochrane, where she says veterinarians have volunteered to care for the bear free of charge.

But she says the province is unwilling to budge from its positionthat human intervention can threaten the bear's chances to hibernate and heal.

In 2010, provincial legislation changed to prevent Alberta animal rehabilitation centres from caring for bears.

Rehabilitated bears can face challenges reintegrating into the wild and have a significantly lower survival rate, but the policy has also led to bears being euthanized rather than rehabilitated.

• 24 orphaned bear cubs euthanized in 5 years because of Alberta policy

Manitoba and Ontario do not have similar policies, and both provinces have bear rehabilitation centres.

Dahlseide'sgroup has created an online petition asking Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips to issue a temporary shelter permit for the bear.

Over 8,500 people had signed the petition as of Friday.

"I just really hope that they can change their position because I feel that's the best option for this bear and everybody wants to see him saved," Dahlseide says.

In the meantime, a group of local volunteers concerned for the bear's safetyhave made a temporary wooden shelter to provide the bear a spot to hibernate.

But a man-made shelter might actually be a dangerous move.

University of Alberta biological science professorColleenCassadySt. Clair told the Calgary Eyeopenerearlier in Novemberthat a man-made den could attract predators that might prey on a young, injured bear.

The bear has yet to make use of the shelter.

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener