http://www.wildliferesearch.ca/iba2011/ 
The Large Bear Enclosure Working Group evolved out of discussion concerning an emerging trend among the designers and managers of bear sanctuaries in Eurasia. More and more facilities are built using a model from existing large enclosed semi-natural facilities to house rescued bears in high densities.
 
The stressors placed on bears, such as human encroachment and habitat loss, have made it almost a necessity to place many individual animals in large enclosures in relatively high numbers. In North America and in Western Europe, the construction of  these large facilities for housing rescue animals has grown in popularity. In most cases the enclosures are being designed to replicate the semi-natural habitats for high density enclosures in Eurasia, but with the intention to house fewer individuals bears.
 
In these enclosures it possible to manage the bears less intensively from a husbandry standpoint, allowing husbandry and health personnel to focus attention on enrichment, husbandry training, and socialization of small groups of captive bears (e.g.,conspecifics and different species) while focusing less time on sanitation and disinfection.
 
In an effort to strengthen communication among large bear enclosure managers we endeavor to develop a consortium of institutions that house bears in ‘habitats’ that fit the criteria of large bear enclosures. The purpose of the working group is to provide a forum for information exchange and advisement regarding the husbandry and management of these animals held in expansive exhibit or off-exhibit enclosures.
We hope to provide husbandry parameters and suggested guidelines for managing bears in these facilities.

 

Have you seen bears in the wild and if so what species and where?

Have you seen bears in Alaska and if so where (e.g., Denali, Katmai, Prudhoe Bay)?

Were these instances, where you saw a wild bear, part of a bear viewing trip/scenic viewing trip or by chance?

What is your favorite bear exhibit at a captive facility and why? You can provide more than one answer.

What North American bear species is your favorite and which would you say you know most about?

When did you, if ever, learn the difference between a black bear and a brown bear.  Did you learn this as a youth or as an adult or today? 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/zoo-peeps-creator

Monday, June 14, 2010 @ 10:00PM EST

http://bearkeepers.wordpress.com/bears-on-the-air-radio/

zoo radio fan page

Promotional Video for B.E.A.R.S.(cool)

Promotional Video for Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (classic)

Bear Manager Required:

Highly motivated and experienced animal professionals are required to work with rescued Asiatic Black Bears at our China Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China or Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre.

This position is responsible for overseeing teams of local bear keeping staff involved in the daily care and management of the bears housed within the rescue centre. It will also involve working alongside and liaising with the Veterinary Director and the resident Vet team plus our Animal Conditioning Consultant to manage various daily operations. Bear Managers report directly to the centre Senior Bear Manager.

Both formal qualifications and proven practical experience are essential for this position.

Accommodation is provided, along with a competitive salary and the opportunity to help these most stoic and beautiful animals.

Responsibilities:

• Co-coordinating various daily operations:
  • Animal care and management
  • Maintenance and adjustment of existing enrichment programs
  • Bear food and stock ordering system
• Operant conditioning and formal bear training programmes for a variety of medical, behavioural and management requirements.

Qualifications and experience:

• Formal qualification (ideally a university degree) in zoology, biology, conservation, animal behaviour or related field
• Three to five years work experience in a zoo or similar working environment
• Excellent communication, organisational and practical skills
• Strong management skills and the ability to work in a team or independently
• Patience and willingness to work within a different culture are essential

Appointment is full-time, five (5) days a week with some weekend work applicable.

Applicants must be able to commit for a minimum of one (1) year. Two (2) year contracts are also offered.

The following items are included in your full-time contract:

On-site accommodation                            Subsidised meals

Relocation Assistance                               Medical Insurance

For more information please visit our website http://www.animalsasia.org

To apply please forward cover letter and CV (stating position you are applying for) and completed Job Application form with expected salary to: hrhkg@animalsasia.org

(If the link doesn’t work, please visit this page with the original document, or contact Animal’s Asia via email)

As the newest team member to join  B.E.A.R.S. of Alaska at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) or what I will propose that we consider promoting as the B.E.A.R.S. of Alaska Institute at the  Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) , I feel most honored to have been invited back by old friends and colleagues to assist in an advisory and consulting capacity for the planning of this state-of-the-art interpretive education and conservation advocacy center for  bears  of  this frontier state (one of the few places in the US where you will find virtually syntopic populations of brown bear (grizzly), and black bear and the only place perhaps to one day see, three sympatric ursid  populations (polar, brown, and black bear) as climate change and other anthropogenic factors influence the available resources these bear species need or use to survive).

I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to work with a progressive, genuine  and committed living institution staff. The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center’s team of wildlife professionals are  acclaimed for reintroducing the state’s functionally extinct wood buffalo (bison), North America’s largest terrestrial mammal back into Alaska’s wilderness (in partnership with Alaska’s Department of  Fish & Game and other agencies).

But getting back to B.E.A.R.S.  This opportunity to reach visitors from around the world and citizens from Alaska and introduce them to bears, not far from where these ursids find refuge and continue to thrive whether in inland boreal forests, Southern rustic coastlines, or in  Northern tundra ecosystems, is unprecedented. The B.E.A.R.S of Alaska Institute at AWCC, my working title for the exhibit and interpretive center, will be footsteps away from the great wilderness where bears are still much at home. This center is poised to really shape a healthy and positive perception of  bears before viewing them as eco-tourists, campers or as other recreational visitors before simply heading of f to explore the great state so that is so well noted for its rich natural heritage.

The opportunity to work with this institute couldn’t come at a better time as I’ m spearheading a conservation education/education working group (committee precursor) for IBA.  The B.E.A.R.S. center is dedicated to the advancement of bear science, education, awareness (advocacy), research and outreach and hopefully we can work together with partner organizations to further mutual interests in raising awareness for all bear species. On behalf of Alaska’s newest terrestrial carnivore and native ungulate wildlife conservation and rehabilitation center, I feel poised to bring this project to fruition with the help of  so many of my colleagues among captive wildlife professionals, from the Alaska Zoo to the fellow advisors on the AZA Bear TAG to the leadership of EAZA’s  Carnivore Conservation Campaign to fellow council, and ex officio members and officers of  the International Association for Bear Research & Management, and the Bear Specialist and Polar Bear Specialist Groups of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

As much as I hope to draw attention to the plight of the five remaining extant species of bears there is so much to share with native Alaskans and residents of this frontier state. I hope to highlight the work of the IBA biologists dedicated to bear conservation research and management  efforts for North American bear species in Alaska, but hopefully in other regions of the country where pressing conservation issues draw much concern for our ability to continue to coexist in a world over-populated with people. We would be remiss not to address the five remaining species of concern. I also want to work with other conservationists and investigators who have documented the culture of bears as never seen before. One highly respected bear viewing guide asked me in the field one day if bears have culture, and my response was that you’re looking at it. Learned behaviors are passed down among subpopulations of all kinds of species from chimps, to orca, and coastal brown bears congregating to feed are no exception.

Speaking of culture, we would be also be remiss to not address the great impact brown bears, polar bears, and black bears have had on indigenous cultures over 100′s of years. And today, as we interface with these fascinating and highly intelligent animals, the largest of North American carnivores, we need to find a way to live with them as mindful and respectful co-inhabitants of a changing landscape, with concerns over the impact of climate change, among other things, and not as fearful and reactive competitors for space.  These are the kinds of things we may want to bring to the attention of people as we consider how best to utilize an interpretive center for the benefit of human-bear relations impacting  future generations of bears and people.

I visited AWCC and staff  on my way to Katmai to work on brown bear projects on multiple excursions and before heading north to Barrow and east to Admiralty Island . I am most appreciative to be invited back as an advisor to the project and more recently in a more official capacity as  a  consultant to the project. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get more involved with this exciting project.

In Summary:

Education has always been at the forefront of the mission at the AWCC, and although they spearhead in situ and ex situ conservation programs in partnership with various research entities at the local, state, and federal levels, they are well aware of the importance of developing outreach programs and providing resources for educating citizens and visitors to Alaska with respect to the state’s wildlife species. The AWCC is poised to make the citizens of Alaska keenly aware of the plight of Alaska’s bear populations as encroachment on habitat and other human activities, as well as climate change continue to threaten these iconic predators that continue to find refuge in Alaska.  The B.E.A.R.S. of  Alaska Institute will be instrumental in promoting awareness among the citizens of Alaska and it’s visitors from around the world in regard to the status of bears and will  advocate as a conservation, education, and research center for North America’s Bears for years to come.

Jordan Schaul, PhD
http://www.visualcv.com/jordanschaul
B.E.A.R.S. of Alaska Institute,
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center

jordan@alaskawildlife.org

http://www.ohdios.com/1163-kung-fu-oso/

“Asiatic Black bear, Claude who‘s been resident at Asa Zoo for [8] years since he was orphaned when his mum was trapped and killed, is getting some press as a result of his love of spinning sticks. He’s recently had his passion for twirling rekindled after a long lay off, to the delight of onlookers”

“April 8, 2008—Claude, an Asiatic black bear living in a Japanese zoo, has attracted attention for twirling sticks.”

Claude, Asa Zoo

According to the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), bears are the most popular exhibit animals displayed in their accredited zoological parks (North America). These facilities are noted for their conservation, education, and research efforts, including cooperative breeding programs. This popularity of bears among zoo patrons is especially good news with respect to exposure and publicity for pressing conservation issues. Zoo outreach specialists, similar to park rangers working protected areas, need to take advantage of the opportunity to educate patrons of living institutions concerning the conservation status of bears. Wildlife facilities from zoos, to sanctuaries are poised to convey the threats facing the 8 extant (living) species of bears. Educators must raise awareness of the urgent need to protect wild habitat and wild bears. Educators, naturalists, and scientists alike, must encourage people to advocate on behalf of bear conservation. Support bears close to home and in far off places. Learn about the plight of bears at http://www.bearbiology.com, the website of the International Association for Bear Research & Management (International Bear Association). This site is not affiliated with IBA, but we do, of course, endorse their programs.

Bears on the Air Radio (for bear people, captive or wild, bears that is)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bears-on-the-Air-Radio/130987083578013?ref=ts

Scheduled Guests:
Ben Kilham, (Author Man of Among Bears; Featured in National Geographic); I have spent time in the field with Ben in New Hampshire where he has successfully reintroduced generations of orphaned bears into the wild and continues to track them.

Jackson Zee, (Animal Welfarist, Member of the IUCN (WCN) Bear Specialist Group, and fellow advisor to the AZA Bear Taxon Advisory Group)

Siew Te Wong, (PhD Candidate and one of the few to have studied the elusive sun bear. He recently opened the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Center and currently shares his time between Montana and Maylasia.