AboutStephen Vantassel Expertise I can assist the public in responding to all kinds of wildlife related problems in the United States and Canada, including birds, mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, beavers, opossums, voles, moles, chipmunks, woodchucks, pocket gophers, and more. My passion is wildlife damage identification, for if you don't know what animal is causing the problem, you can't begin to resolve it responsibly.
Experience I was a full time animal damage controller for over 5 years and a part-time animal damage controller for over 10. I have been a volunteer for AllExperts.com for over 5 years under the Pest Control Category, when they graciously created a new category that better suited my experience (I don't answer bug questions). I was a licensed animal controller in both Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nebraska. I presently run the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, http://icwdm.org.
Organizations National Wildlife Control Operators Association, Community Integrated Pest Management group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Publications I have published two books (both revised), The Wildlife Removal Handbook rev. ed. and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. ed. Additionally, I have written articles which have appeared in Wildlife Control Technology Magazine, Fur-Fish & Game, The Trapper, The Fur Taker, The Probe, and others. I have co-authored wildlife related publications for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension program and was responsible for revising the handbook designed for the Pest Controllers looking to obtain their category 14 license.
Education/Credentials I was a trapper education instructor for the state of Massachusetts, and have attended a variety of conferences and trainings.
Awards and Honors Certified Wildlife Control Operator
Question QUESTION: It was in the news recently that a bear killed a young boy who was camping with his family in Utah. This, of course, is very tragic. I guess it should be obvious, but I am wondering why the bear was hunted and then destroyed. It was also reported that the camp ground had warning signs in reference to bears frequenting the area.
ANSWER: I believe the rationale is that an animal that has lost its fear of humans will kill another human again. As for the sign, I am not sure how that mitigates the need to kill the bear. We see signs on roads "slippery when wet" but still put salt down and safety barriers to reduce and prevent injuries. As bear populations grow and man continues to build mcmansions in bear country, conflicts will continue to increase. Short of fencing the world, which will have its own environmental impact (negative), population management is an important part of wildlife control as will be appropriate zoning restrictions. You can learn more at http://icwdm.org
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QUESTION: I understand the rationale for having to kill the bear. In reference to the sign, if you drive on roads the occasion will arise that a road will be slippery. Camping in an area where it is known that bears frequent is avoidable.
Answer I would disagree. Driving on a road is as avoidable as avoiding a camping site. Why couldn't a person just walk on the road?
I don't want to get into an argument here. We are dealing with fundamental questions of humanity's role in the world. I am not an animal rights activist. I am an animal welfarist who believes in the responsible use of our natural resources, including bears, deer, raccoons etc. I don't know if the child wandered too far from his parents/guardian. Perhaps he stumbled upon a sow with her cubs. Maybe the bear was sick. There are any number of reasons why the bear would have attacked the child. If you are looking for fault, it is too late. I don't know enough of the scenario to see if the event was avoidable beyond the child not being in the woods. But we must be careful here. If we lose our attachment to te woods, then we lose our love of bears which means losing bears won't bother anyone.
