Combine bear attacks with science: Dr. Tom Smith’s laboratory

Lots of disinformation surrounds the bear-human conflict. Professor Tom Smith of the Plants and Wildlife Department has heard everything. Folk -type ideas like wearing a purple hat to scare the bears or lift your arms to appear large are not found in fact scientific. In case of harm, they can lead to a disaster for humans and bears. In his laboratory, Smith and his students discover the facts on bears attacks using science to prepare and prevent them.

Smith and its students have compiled a database of all bear-humans conflicts that have occurred in recent decades. They also collaborated with geospatial cartography in the library to create a website. This compilation is useful when visiting national parks and when you want to see what human conflicts have occurred and which bear species are the most widespread. With the undergoing bear conflicts in progress, the laboratory is constantly compiling new data.

Smith students also work on an article that lists all bear attacks where dogs accompanied their owners. In some cases, dogs have helped their owners; In others, they fled or just looked. The document serves as credible research for American and Canadian national parks deciding on pet policies.

In conjunction with the Hogle zoo, Smith’s Lab measures the bioenergetic capacities of teeth and bear claws with metallic claws printed in 3D which imitate the destruction formed by bears on objects with zoo. The College of Engineering helps simulate the resistance of a real bear using a hydraulic press. Smith and the students then document these damage using microscopes. These data will be used to inform the zoo and other companies of the sustainability of their products and effective deterrent methods.

Another key objective of the Smith laboratory is to experiment with preventive measures that prevent bears from pedestrian areas. These tactics include the creation of armed smells of odors that remove bears or attract them to other places. Perfumes such as the mixture and lemongrass (an intense scent of citrus), and other chemicals are tested for their power. Affectionately nicknamed “STINK Central”, these odors are then used in the field to see if they are effective in keeping bears from human trails. These different odors are necessary because the standard repellent of the bear is full of chemicals which are illegal in certain countries. “If we can attract carnivores with something that is not a rotten cow or another unpleasant thing,” said Smith, “then we can probably be more effective in detecting and attracting them.”

A student from the Smith laboratory, Erin Jacoway (PWS ’25), is grateful to have expanded his experience. “Research with animals is very different from doing research with plants,” said Jacoway. “Plants just do their thing, then you can write facts while the animals are different. I didn’t really realize it until I started this laboratory.

Fern Luttrell (PWS ’25), another student from the Smith laboratory, is grateful that Smith has encouraged him to participate in data collection and writing paper. “Tom is particularly and particularly good to accept comments,” said Luttrell “Tom is so willing to be sympathetic and communicative and accept our contribution. He is enthusiastic about our progression.”

Smith focuses on strengthening and sharing the testimonies of his students. “When we look at creatures and their complexity,” reflects Smith, “I remind my students that it is the work of an eternal being. When you see complex organisms, do not discredit God. God can do very complex things. We try to keep these conversations in life. We do not do this by ignoring these facts but kissing them. »»

The work of studying human bear conflicts is constantly evolving. To get involved in Dr. Smith’s laboratory, you can send him an email to tom_smith@byu.edu.