Just recently in New Hampshire bear country, an uneasy compromise was reached between bear and human interests. While some cheered after three cubs and a mother bear were given a pardon by Governor Chris Sununu, State biologist Andrew Timmins maintained that relocating the bears (rather than euthanizing them) wouldn’t solve the bear problem. He said that the bears’ ability to travel long distances, and the unlikelihood of them being accepted in new bear territories could lead them back home again. However the reason the bears entered a home and were slated for execution in the first place was human failure to secure trash or remove birdfeeders. The bears became accustomed to foraging in human territories, leading to conflict.

The small community of Hanover may adopt a town ordinance to fine people for not securing trash, reducing the likelihood of future conflict. In many communities however, human animal conflict is an accident waiting to happen, or has escalated into a crisis that isn’t resolved as easily.

At Boileau Conflict Solutions, we believe the key to resolving conflicts is for all parties to be viewed as stakeholders in reaching a compromise. We maintain that animals, too, are stakeholders with legitimate life interests, and that any dispute affects an interconnected community of humans and animals. Mediation allows for all interests to be considered fairly and confidentially in a neutral environment and builds mutual understanding in reaching agreements to forestall future conflicts.

Please contact us today to see how we can help.