Bear poop, real science

PRINCE GEORGE – The College of New Caledonia’s Research Forest is inviting Prince George residents to help collect bear droppings, and this year, the project is expanding.

The CNC Research Forest is starting its second year of community wildlife research, asking Prince George residents to collect bear scat from around the city. This information helps researchers study stress, reproductive health, and diet in urban bears. This year, a new partnership with the Calgary Zoo will provide a control group using captive bears.

Vanessa Fetterly, the project’s lead researcher, says the goal is to determine whether city life is affecting local bears and whether that stress leads to more conflicts with people. The team works with the Conservation Officers Society, the City of Prince George, and Northern Bear Awareness to identify high-risk areas and develop practical solutions, such as improved garbage management. Results surprised even Fetterly. More than 66 residents contributed over 130 samples from neighbourhoods including College Heights, downtown, Moore’s Meadow, and Ginter’s Meadow. Results from those samples are expected by the end of July and will be posted on the CNC website, where residents can look up scat collected in their own neighbourhoods.