Defenders Works with Rural Community so Kids Can Play Safely

Defenders of Wildlife
Friday, 26 April 2002

While not everyone believes the adage "good fences make good neighbors," that's absolutely the case with the town of Wapiti, Wyoming, and grizzly bears. Tomorrow, the community of Wapiti will come together to build a six-foot fence at the school yard, with financial assistance from Defenders of Wildlife.

Situated between Cody and the East entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the town is in the heart of excellent habitat for a number of wildlife species including elk, deer, wolves, bears and mountain lions, and encounters between local residents and wildlife have been increasing, particularly with bears.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department worked with local residents to identify ways of reducing human-bear conflicts and promoting acceptance of bear recovery.

Among the actions proposed by the group was the recommendation to erect a fence around the playground at Wapiti school to provide a safe play area for the children.

"This is a wonderfully simple resolution of the problem" said Minette Johnson, Northern Rockies Regional Representative. "Defenders is grateful to play a role in this initiative, formulated by the local community, that protects the children while allowing grizzly bear recovery."

Since 1990, 16 grizzly bears and 7 black bears have been captured in the valley within four miles of Wapiti. In 2001 alone, seven grizzly bears and three black bears were moved from the area, including three grizzlies that were very close to the school.

Defenders of Wildlife contributed $2,600 to purchase the fencing supplies. The fence is being put up by the Wapiti teachers, parents and schoolchildren, people from the Cody Public School District and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

"I really enjoy seeing such a cross-section of people - ranchers, businessmen, teachers, computer programmers - working on a project they all agree on," says Theresa Lineberger, the mother who has helped organize the project. "Whether or not they agree on political issues, they put those aside, found common ground, and are working on something that benefits the kids."

"People love bears and people love kids, this is an excellent project to encourage tolerance of wildlife and prevent bear/human conflicts."said Mark Bruscino, Bear Management Officer for Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Defenders of Wildlife funded this project using a new program, The Bailey Wildlife Foundation Proactive Carnivore Conservation Fund. This program provides money for collaborative on-the-ground efforts to reduce potential conflict between large predators and humans and/or livestock. This may involve electric fencing, livestock guarding dogs, scare devices, alternative grazing lands, or even retirement of grazing allotments from willing permittees.

For more information, or to contact Defenders of Wildlife, see their website at: www.defenders.org