Experiences with aversive conditioning of habituated brown bears in Austria and other European countries

In 1995, a team was formed to respond to problem brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Austria. As part of that team, during 1995-2000 we performed 16 aversive conditioning experiments and attempted an additional 10 experiments on 7 target animals. We used rubber bullets, cracker shells, warning shots, and other fireworks. The effects varied considerably from no change in bear behavior to a long-term increase in wariness. We also compare the handling of bear problems in Austria with the problem bear management in other European countries. The use of aversive conditioning techniques have been reported from 8 countries, yet the effect of such actions were either limited or not clearly documented. The few relocations conducted in Europe were not successful. In Europe, regular exchange of experiences concerning problem bear management and cooperation in the education of field staff is needed. Experiences with aversive conditioning of habituated brown bears in Austria and other European countries Georg Rauer, Petra Kaczensky, and Felix Knauer World Wide Fund for Nature Austria, Ottakringerstr, 114-116, A-1160 Vienna, Austria Institute of Wildlife Biology and Game Management at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Vienna, Peter Jordan Strasse 76, A-1190 Vienna, Austria Wildlife Research Unit, Faculty of Forestry at the Technische Universität München, Linderhof 2, D-82488 Ettal, Germany Abstract: In 1995, a team was formed to respond to problem brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Austria. As part of that team, during 1995–2000 we performed 16 aversive conditioning experiments and attempted an additional 10 experiments on 7 target animals. We used rubber bullets, cracker shells, warning shots, and other fireworks. The effects varied considerably from no change in bear behavior to a long-term increase in wariness. We also compare the handling of bear problems in Austria with the problem bear management in other European countries. The use of aversive conditioning techniques have been reported from 8 countries, yet the effect of such actions were either limited or not clearly documented. The few relocations conducted in Europe were not successful. In Europe, regular exchange of experiences concerning problem bear management and cooperation in the education of field staff is needed. In 1995, a team was formed to respond to problem brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Austria. As part of that team, during 1995–2000 we performed 16 aversive conditioning experiments and attempted an additional 10 experiments on 7 target animals. We used rubber bullets, cracker shells, warning shots, and other fireworks. The effects varied considerably from no change in bear behavior to a long-term increase in wariness. We also compare the handling of bear problems in Austria with the problem bear management in other European countries. The use of aversive conditioning techniques have been reported from 8 countries, yet the effect of such actions were either limited or not clearly documented. The few relocations conducted in Europe were not successful. In Europe, regular exchange of experiences concerning problem bear management and cooperation in the education of field staff is needed.