Tom Smith, Geoff York, Jaron Hansen, Steve Peterson, Gordon Stenhouse

Climate change is driving polar bears (Ursus maritimus) closer to Arctic communities, increasing human-bear conflicts and creating urgent conservation challenges. Traditional deterrents, such as bear spray and electric fencing, face limitations in legality, practicality, and deployment in remote regions. Our project focuses on developing innovative, non-lethal strategies to protect people while safeguarding humans and bears, with a primary emphasis on drone technology and community collaboration.

Drone Hazing: Recent advances in drone technology—including active tracking and extended flight capabilities—offer a safe, cost-effective alternative to traditional hazing methods. Drones can maintain distance, reduce risk to humans, and deliver consistent aversive conditioning to deter bears from settlements and attractants. We are testing polar bear responses to drones in key aggregation areas, measuring behavioral variables such as distance to first response, and intensity. These trials aim to determine operational best practices for wildlife managers and potentially develop guidelines for drone use in bear country.

Community Collaboration: A cornerstone of this work is partnering with Inuit guides in small Canadian communities such as Fort Severn and Arviat. Their local knowledge of bear behavior, seasonal movements, and cultural priorities ensures that our research aligns with local needs.

By combining cutting-edge technology with traditional knowledge, this project seeks to expand the toolkit for non-lethal conflict mitigation. The results will inform best practices for Arctic communities and wildlife managers, contributing to coexistence strategies essential for polar bear conservation in a rapidly changing climate.