Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center



Product Testing





Conservation: Product Testing | Other Research

Bears that learn to associate people with food often become dangerous and are ultimately killed or placed in captivity. Keeping bears out of human food and garbage is the best way to ensure their survival in the wild. In keeping with it's continuing effort to educate the public on living and traveling safely in bear country, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center cooperates with state and federal agencies and the Living with Wildlife Foundation www.lwwf.org in the testing of bear-resistant food and garbage storage containers. The Centers' bears test dumpsters, roll-out garbage cans, horse packing panniers and backpacker food storage containers made of everything from plastic to Kevlar.

The testing procedures start with the manufacture bringing their products to the GWDC. Then, it is placed in the bear habitat and baited with especially enticing foods such as fish, meat, molasses or fruit jam. After that, the bears must try to get into the container for 60 to 90 minutes for it to be considered tested. If they are unable to open the container or obtain food from it, the container passes as "bear-resistant" and receives certification from the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC). Containers that do not pass can be modified and re-tested at a later date.

The IGBC is composed of grizzly bear biologists from a number of government agencies. The protocol for testing was developed through a cooperative effort among Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Forest Service, IGBC and the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. This testing protocol allows consumers, parks and municipalities to obtain products that they know will work to keep human food and garbage inaccessible to bears and keep them out of conflict with people.

Product Testing at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
Product Testing at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center

Kobuk attempts to open a garbage can by turning it upside down		 Product Testing at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
                             
                           A food locker is dragged into the pond during a test

Product Testing at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
                
                    Sam works his claws into a crack in this container		   
    Product Testing at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
                This lid has been opened and Illie now investigates    
                       to see if any more food can be obtained

Container testing is very stimulating for the bears and provides visitors with an experience that is entertaining, educational and unforgettable!


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