Relocation, or translocation, of bears involves capturing an animal and releasing it in another suitable area, away from potential conflicts with humans. Relocation is not the "silver bullet" to resolving human-bear conflicts. Research suggests that adult bears almost always return to their former ranges and generally do so within a month, regardless of the distance they are moved (Landriault 1998).

Capturing and moving a bear is sometimes necessary and may be the only non-lethal option in busy human-use areas. According to Landriault's 1998 study, there are some factors that can increase the likely success of a relocation. Most sub-adult male bears (under four years of age) easily disperse when translocated, as most haven't yet established a home range to return to. The recommended translocation distance to minimize the likelihood of return (known as homing) is between 60 and 100 kilometres. There is also some evidence of success with the translocation of juvenile females, but because their homing sense is well established, they must be moved a minimum of 130 kilometres (Landriault 1998). Moving bears across physiographic barriers such as mountain ranges or lakes may also reduce their homing ability (Rogers 1986). For both bear genders and all age groups, translocation can allow enough time to remove attractants, so that if the bear returns, it will not have a reason to stay.

However, there are many drawbacks to relocating bears.

“Relocated bears seldom live happily ever after. ”

— Linda Masterson in Living with Bears

Translocated bears can experience considerable stress associated with locating new food sources, security, bedding and denning sites within the release area, potentially affecting their survival. Placing a bear in habitat used by other bears may lead to competition and social conflict, and result in the injury or death of the less dominant bear. The bears that do survive can become a problem in or near the release area, or they return to their original territory where they continue to be in conflict (Kansas et al. 1989; Heuer 1993; Ciarniello 1996).

Relocation is reactive and does not address the root cause of human-bear conflicts. As such, another bear frequently takes the place of the one that has been removed. Often, people are either unwilling to change their own behaviour by removing attractants or are unaware of the need to do so because they believe that trapping and translocating a bear is a viable resolution.

Learn more about proactive ways to address human-bear conflicts here.