Promoting Coexistence with Grizzly Bears: Electric Fencing success in the Pemberton Meadows

The Pemberton Meadows, situated in the Traditional Territories of the Lil’wat and St’át’imc Nations, lies at the convergence of two threatened grizzly bear population units: the South Chilcotin and the Squamish-Lillooet.  This lush agricultural valley has seen an increase in grizzly bear sightings as predicted by research scientists working on population recovery. 

As these populations continue to expand into areas shared by humans, the occurrence of human-bear interactions has also increased. 

In 2020, with support from the BC Ministry of Agriculture, the Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative (C2C) and the Grizzly Bear Foundation, commissioned a ‘Pemberton Meadows Bear Hazard Assessment (BHA)’. Conducted by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Human-Bear Conflicts expert Dr. Lana Ciarniello, the BHA provided recommendations and actions for grizzly bear connectivity and management strategies to reduce human-bear conflict. Electric Fencing was advised to secure the variety of bear attractants in the Upper Pemberton Meadows.

Image: Grizzly bear and her cubs of the year seen in a carrot patch in the Pemberton Meadows, prior to the installation of a 6-wire high electric fence. Photo by Andrea Van Loon

Carrots were a favourite grizzly bear meal, encouraging their return every season to feast on the crops. John Beks is the owner of Shaw Creek Farm, and a longtime local resident in the valley.  He reported losses of 25-30% in his carrot field. Beks stated that “...(the bears) would break the tops off which made it hard for hand harvesting. They might eat half a carrot and leave it there, so it was significant the amount of damage they did”.

Regular farm fencing is not efficient to deter bears. Some farms had basic electric fencing, however it was not used proactively or designed with bears in mind, including having an adequate number of wires (minimum 5 is recommended), and a strong enough energizer (0.7 - 1.0 joules). Barriers to installing electric fencing were primarily the high costs and the need for assistance and expertise in the installation process. Something could be done.

In the spring of 2022, Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative, with support from the Grizzly Bear Foundation, implemented an Electric Fence Cost-Share program for large scale farms! Modelled by other programs, and with advice from experts in the field, 7 electric fences totaling over 16 acres were successfully installed safeguarding: carrots, bees, gardens, orchards, sheep, lambs, pigs and chickens. 

We are pleased to be launching our new video, sharing the experiences of two local farms that participated in our 2022 cost-share program, Pemberton Valley Farms and Shaw Creek Farm.

Through the cost-share program, C2C worked with farms to split the costs for materials and assisted with installations.  

“We haven’t had any reports of bears accessing the attractants that were within the enclosed areas of our electric fencing, while at the same time, continuing to receive reports of sightings of grizzly bears in the immediate area.”- Devin Pawluk, Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative Pemberton Co-Existence Coordinator. 

“The fence program this year worked really really well.  We didn’t have a bear in the carrot crop. Didn’t lose that 25-30%, so I love it. It worked well”. - John Beks, Shaw Creek Farms.

Mature carrot field on the right safeguarded by electric fencing through the cost-share program.

Pemberton farmers are used to sharing the landscape with wildlife, and “the overall attitude appeared to be that conserving wildlife was the right thing to do regardless of whether or not the farmer benefited financially.” -Pemberton Meadows BHA.  

The goal, and success, of this Electric Fence Cost-Share initiative was to safeguard human food sources and strengthen the ability for local residents to coexist with grizzly bears as they expand into the Pemberton Meadows.

 As seen in the video, properly installed and well-maintained electric fences offer a proven solution to mitigate Bear-Agriculture conflicts. Electric fencing plays a crucial role in reducing the likelihood of bears becoming food-conditioned, ensuring a safer environment for both them and ourselves. For farmers like Marty Van Loon and John Beks, the cost-share program has kept their carrots secure, while enhancing farmers’ ability to coexist with the grizzly bears that pass through or inhabit the region.  

This year, Coast to Cascades is expanding its cost-share program, in collaboration with Margo Supplies Ltd..

• Available to residents of the Pemberton Valley, Upper Bridge River, and Portage Road (Mt. Currie - D’arcy - Seton)

• This program will cover 50% of electric fencing material costs, for new, qualifying installations

• Electric fence installations must follow the recommendations from experts, in order to adequately deter a bear

• Funds are on a priority, first-served basis. 

Interested in learning more for your own property? Reach out with any questions, or to get started! Contact info@COASTtoCASCADES.org 

The continuation of Coast to Cascades electric fence initiative enables sustainable coexistence between humans and grizzly bears, effectively mitigating potential conflicts while protecting both livelihoods and wildlife. 

Grizzly Bear Translocation Initiative: A Hope for the Stein-Nahatlach Grizzly Bear Population

Development, industry, recreation and highways fragment and isolate the Stein-Nahatlatch GBPU, making connectivity with other populations near impossible.

The Stein-Nahatlatch Grizzly Bear Population Unit (GBPU), located in southwest British Columbia, has the most at-risk bears in Canada.  First Nations are acting to safeguard the remaining grizzly bears, and to secure their future.

Since 2005, DNA studies in the Stein-Nahatlatch GBPU continue to show genetic isolation and declining numbers.  Human activities add extra pressure to the fragile situation.   Only a few breeding females remain to hold the population.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has classified the Stein-Nahatlatch population as “Critically Endangered” (see map).  The Province of British Columbia’s Conservation Concern ranking is at “Extreme”.

B.C. does not have Recovery Management plans for its at-risk Grizzly Bear populations.  A high-level grizzly bear management plan is being developed by the Province; however, interim measures are needed now.

The Stein-Nahatlatch Grizzly Bear Population is at risk of extinction if nothing is done.

Stein-Nahatlatch grizzly bear Jinx, the sub-adult cub of Jewel. Both grizzlies have been poached. Photo: Dave Molenaar

St’át’imc, Secwémpemc, Nlaka’pamux, Sylix, and Skwxwú7mesh Úxumixw First Nations are taking the lead to bring new genes and new hope into the Stein-Nahatlatch population.  Grizzly bears have shared with First Nations people the ways of survival and stewardship, and are honoured through song, dance, and the promise to protect them for generations to come. 

With support and alliance with Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources Operations and Rural Development, Conservation Northwest and Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative,  a plan to translocate new Grizzly Bears into the Stein-Nahaltath Grizzly Bear Population Unit, is underway. 

The initial strategy is for 1-2 Grizzly Bears from the unceded Territories of the Simpcw First Nation (part of the Secwémpemc Nation), to be moved into the Stein-Nahatlatch population, within the unceded Territories of the St’át’imc, Secwémpemc, Nlaka’pamux, Sylix, and Skwxwú7mesh Úxumixw.  Cultural Ceremonies have taken place to begin the process of preparation for the bears, and for their future in the mountains and valleys of the Stein.  Management and monitoring for the health and success of the bears will be ongoing. 

It has been a long journey, that in many ways has just begun, and we honour everyone who has been part of it. 

A St’át’imc Nation video highlights the First Nations partnerships and hopes for the Stein-Nahatlatch Translocation Project. The video can be viewed here:

The Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Initiative and our partner Conservation Northwest continue to push for recovery strategies and initiatives.  Collaborating with and supporting First Nations has always been our priority and it is the way forward.  Honouring Culture and Science to find a balance for iconic grizzly bears to thrive on the landscape.