International Conference on Bear Research and Management 5:270-274. The probability of being injured by a bear is significantly lower for those visitors that don’t leave park developments, roadsides, or boardwalk trails (1 in 39.6 million visits), but higher for those camping overnight in roadside campgrounds (1 in 26.6 million overnight stays) or backcountry campsites (1 in 554,000 overnight stays). Yes all animals have periods. Fetuses develop only if the mother has stored enough body fat and other nutrients to survive overwinter and provide milk for her cubs until she … 129pp. Winchester Press, New Century Publishers, Inc., Piscataway, New Jersey. Gunther, K. A., and H. L. Hoekstra. Cramond, M. 1981. If you are uncomfortable hiking and camping in bear country for any reason, you should probably choose another area for your recreational activities. Menstrual odors were essentially ignored by black bears of all sex and age classes. 1991). Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, N.Y. 301pp. in a vehicle (the trunk of a car or cab of a truck), 2.) However, the bear-inflicted human injury data from YNP does not indicate any correlation between bear attacks and menstruation (Gunther and Hoekstra 1996). Although actual statistics are not available, many menstruating women undoubtedly visit, hike and/or camp within YNP each year. (1991) recorded the responses of 26 free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus) to used tampons from 26 women and the responses of 20 free ranging black bears to four menstruating women at different days of their flow. Cushing (1983) also reported that free-ranging polar bears detected and consumed food scent samples and used tampons, but ignored non-menstrual human blood and unused tampons. Responses of polar bears to human menstrual odors. Over 62 million people visited Yellowstone National Park (YNP) during the 23 year period from 1980 through 2002. Although the risks are low, visitors have been injured and killed by bears in Yellowstone National Park (Gunther and Hoekstra 1996). Following these incidents, there was speculation that due to odors associated with menstruation, women may be more prone to attack by bears than are men (Rogers et al. PO Box 168 4. All animals don’t have periods. Of these 32 injuries, 25 (78%) were men, and 7 (22%) were women. Use only unscented or lightly scented items. In an extensive review of black bear attacks across North America, no instances of black bears attacking or being attracted to menstruating women was found (Cramond 1981, Herrero 1985, Rogers et al. 1988. Yellowstone National Park bear-related injuries/fatalities. The responses of grizzly bears to menstrual odors has not been studied experimentally. _____. Herrero (1985) analyzed the circumstances of hundreds of grizzly bear attacks on humans, including the attacks on the two women in GNP, and concluded that there was no evidence linking menstruation to any of the attacks. There is no evidence that grizzlies are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor and there is no statistical evidence that known bear attacks have been related to menstruation (Byrd 1988). The responses of grizzly bears to menstrual odors has not been studied experimentally. Read about this highly effective bear deterrent. Bear-inflicted human injuries in Yellowstone, 1970-1994, a cautionary and instructive guide to who gets hurt and why. Keywords animals Pets period periods Menstruation The young person’s guide to conquering (and saving) the world. Yellowstone National Park Bear-Caused Human Injury Statistics, Proper Methods for Storing Bear Attractants, Bear Caused Human Injuries and Deaths In Yellowstone National Park. Yell 707 It is called the HEAT PERIOD when the females accept the males for mating. (1991) recorded the responses of 26 free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus) to used tampons from 26 women and the responses of 20 free ranging black bears to four menstruating women at different days of their flow. Although there is no evidence that grizzly and black bears are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor, certain precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of attack. You know animals are divided into two heads chordates and non-chordates. Although there is no evidence that grizzly and black bears are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor, certain precautions should be taken to reduce the risks of attack. 1991). Prior to 1979, most bear-inflicted human injuries in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) involved human food conditioned bears that were aggressively seeking human foods and injured people in the process. 82190-0168. 287pp. Cosmetics, perfumes, and deodorants are unnecessary and may act as an attractant to bears. 1996. 7. 2. Although there is no evidence that grizzly and black bears are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor, people who are still concerned can take additional precautions to further reduce the risks of attack. A bear may smell buried tampons or pads and dig them up. Int. _____. Use pre-moistened, unscented cleaning towelettes. Use internal tampons instead of external pads. Your risk of bear attack is highest while hiking in the backcountry. Also, burning of any garbage is odorous and may attract bears to your campsite. These visitors spent over 26 million overnight stays camping in developed area roadside campgrounds, and over 1.6 million overnight stays camping in remote backcountry areas of the park. and Manage. Inter., Natl. There was no evidence linking menstruation to any of the 11 bear attacks on women. Winchester Press, New Century Publishers, Inc., Piscataway, N.J. 287pp. In 3 (43%) incidents surprise encounters were not involved. This suggests that polar bears are attracted to odors associated with menstrual blood. Place all used tampons, pads, and towelettes in double zip-loc baggies and store them unavailable to bears, just as you would store food. For grizzly bears, hundreds of attacks on humans were analyzed, finding no link between menstruation and the attacks. In a study designed to test the hypothesis that bears are attracted to the odors of menstruation, Cushing (1983) reported that when presented with a series of different odors (including seal scents, other food scents, non menstrual human blood, and used tampons), four captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus) elicited a strong behavioral response only to seal scents and menstrual odors (used tampons). Of the 7 women injured by bears, most (57%, n=4) involved surprise, close encounters between bears and women that were hiking and were therefore probably unrelated to menstruation. There was no evidence linking menstruation to any of these 32 bear attacks. Herrero (1985) analyzed the circumstances of hundreds of grizzly bear attacks on humans, including the attacks on the two women in GNP, and concluded that there was no evidence linking menstruation to any of the attacks. Follow food storage regulations and recommendations so you can avoid attracting a bear into your camp with other odors. Journal of Wildlife Management 55(4):632-634. Herrero, S.M. BMO-1. During the 1980-2002 time period, 32 people were injured by bears within YNP, an average of only 1.4 bear-inflicted human injuries per year (Gunther 2003). In a study designed to test the hypothesis that bears are attracted to the odors of menstruation, Cushing (1983) reported that when presented with a series of different odors (including seal scents, other food scents, non-menstrual human blood, and used tampons), four captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus) elicited a strong behavioral response only to seal scents and menstrual odors (used tampons). Menstrual odors were essentially ignored by black bears of all sex and age classes. 129pp. 6. Rogers et al. Thesis, Univ. suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet horizontally from the tree trunk. 1991). in a vehicle (the trunk of a car or cab of a truck), 2.) Use pre-moistened, unscented cleaning towelettes. Bear Management Office Information Paper No. Any charred remains must be removed from the fire pit and stored with your other garbage. 1991. 2016. in a solid camping trailer that is constructed of non-pliable material (never in a tent or tent trailer), 3.) 1.) February 2016. 2. suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet horizontally from the tree trunk. Use only unscented or lightly scented items. Teen Vogue covers the … This suggests that polar bears are attracted to odors associated with menstrual blood. From 1979 through 2018, 50 people were injured by bears (41 by grizzly bear, 6 by black bear, and 3 by bears where the species was not identified) within YNP, an average of only 1.3 bear-inflicted human injuries per year. Of these 3 incidents, 1 involved a female (non-menstruating) jogger in a developed area that was slowly approached then bitten by a grizzly bear, 1 (6%) involved a female Park Ranger moving an injured bear that had been hit by a car off of the road (thus was probably not related to menstruation), and 1 involved a woman (non-menstruating) in a tent in the backcountry. Any charred remains must be removed from the fire pit and stored with your other garbage. For all park visitors combined, the chances of being injured by a bear are approximately 1 in 2.7 million visits. Pap. M.S. Wilker, and S.S. Scott. 5:270-274. Use internal tampons instead of external pads. Cosmetics, perfumes, and deodorants are unnecessary and may act as an attractant to bears. These visitors spent over 15.4 million use nights camping in developed area campgrounds and over 956,000 use nights camping in backcountry areas within the park. 5. Reaction of black bears to human menstrual odors. However, there is no evidence that bears are overly attracted to menstrual odors more than any other odor and there is no statistical evidence that known bear attacks have been related to menstruation (Byrd 1988). Non-chordates are much less evolved that some have asexual reproduction and most of them sexually reproduce but with external fertilization. 3. 55(4):632-634. They have an oestrus cycle, with a particular time when they can become pregnant, but they do not menstruate. Do not bury tampons or pads (pack it in - pack it out). Yellowstone Science 4(1): 2-9. Outdoor Life Books. Of bears and women: Investigating the hypothesis that menstruation attracts bears. You can reduce the risks by: 1) hiking in groups of 3 or more people, 2) staying vigilant for bears, 3) making noise in areas of poor visibility, 4) carrying bear spray and being proficient with its use, 5) staying on maintained, designated hiking trails, and, 6) not running during encounters with bears. During the 40 year period from 1979 through 2018, more than 118 million visits to YNP were recorded. BMO-1. Reaction of black bears to human menstrual odors. Conf. Cramond, M. 1981. 2pp. Tampons can be burned in a campfire, but remember that it takes a very hot fire and considerable time to completely burn them. The following precautions are recommended: 1. Of the 10 incidents where women were injured, most (73%, n=8) involved surprise encounters with bears while the women were hiking, and were therefore not likely related to menstruation. Byrd, C.P. M.S. Bears are among the least productive mammals in North America. However, the woman was not menstruating at the time of the attack. In an extensive review of black bear attacks across North America, no instances of black bears attacking or being attracted to menstruating women was found (Cramond 1981, Herrero 1985, Rogers et al. Following these incidents, there was speculation that due to odors associated with menstruation, women may be more prone to attack by bears than are men (Rogers et al. Yellowstone National Park bear-related injuries/fatalities. So the answer is no. Gunther, K.A., and H.L. Byrd, C.P. This means hung at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet from the tree trunk. Cushing, B. 1991. Place all used tampons, pads, and towelettes in double zip-loc baggies and store them unavailable to bears, just as you would store food. Cushing (1983) also reported that free-ranging polar bears detected and consumed food scent samples and used tampons, but ignored non menstrual human blood and unused tampons. However, park visitors have been injured and killed by bears (Gunther and Hoekstra 1996). Of these 50 injuries, 39 (78%) were men, and only 11 (22%) were women. The greatest risk is incurred by people while hiking in the backcountry (1 in 232,000 travel days). By comparison, a pair of white-tailed deer could produce … Favorite Answer. The objective of this paper is to present the data available on this subject so that women can make an informed choice when deciding whether or not to hike and/or camp in bear country during their menstrual period. By providing bears a small food “reward”, this action may attract bears to other menstruating women. No. In human it is called menstrual cycle as it is a monthly phenomenon. 1997. A bear may smell buried tampons or pads and dig them up. All odorous items that may attract bears, including food, cooking and food storage gear, toiletries, and garbage, must be kept secured from bears. Proper methods for storing bear attractants include: 1.) Tampons can be burned in a campfire, but remember that it takes a very hot fire and considerable time to completely burn them. On the evening of August 13, 1967, two women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) in separate incidents within Glacier National Park (GNP). The following precautions are recommended: 1. Bear-inflicted human injuries in Yellowstone, 1970-1994, a cautionary and instructive guide to who gets hurt and why. All odorous items that may attract bears, including food, cooking and food storage gear, toiletries, and garbage, must be kept secured from bears. On the evening of 13 August 1967, two women were attacked and killed by grizzly bears (Ursus arcto) in separate incidents within Glacier National Park (GNP). Kerry A. Gunther, Bear Management Biologist So no need of menses. 3. A bear may smell buried tampons or pads and dig them up. Outdoor Life Books. Yes, the statement above is … In one incident a grizzly bear pulled a woman out of her tent at night and killed and partially consumed her. Use internal tampons instead of external pads. Responses of polar bears to human menstrual odors. Rogers et al. 1988. in a solid camping trailer that is constructed of non-pliable material (never in a tent or tent trailer). It is difficult to accurately compare the ratio of males to females that are injured by bears because the park does not keep records of visitor use in the park by gender. The question whether menstruating women attract bears has not been completely answered (Byrd 1988). Inf. 1985. In theory, a male and female black bear born this year if they breed as soon as they reach sexual maturity and as often as possible, and if all their offspring survive to do the same could in the space of ten years have grown to a population of 15 bears (assuming none died). 1983. 2pp. Park Serv., Yellowstone National Park. 1991). … Follow food storage regulations and recommendations so you can avoid attracting a bear into your camp with other odors. The objective of this paper is to present the data available on this subject so that women can make an informed choice when deciding whether or not to hike and/or camp in bear country during their menstrual period. In one incident a curious bear approached and bit a woman, but the woman was not menstruating at the time. 3.) in a food storage box (provided at many campgrounds), or 4.) Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, N.Y. 301pp. If you are uncomfortable hiking and camping in bear country for any reason, you should probably choose another area for your recreational activities. Rogers, L.L., G. A. Wilker, and S.S. Scott. Of bears and women: Investigating the hypothesis that menstruation attracts bears. Although actual statistics are not available, thousands of menstruating women undoubtedly visited, hiked and/or camped within YNP over the last 40 years. Montana, Missoula. Rogers, L.L., G.A. Thesis, Univ. in a food storage box (provided at some campgrounds), or 4.) By providing bears a small food "reward", this action may attract bears to other menstruating women. Killer bears. Many feminine products are heavily scented. By 1979, human foods and garbage were no longer readily available to park bears and few human food conditioned bears remained in the population. By providing bears a small food “reward”, this action ma… Manage. Hoekstra. The following precautions are recommended: The question whether menstruating women attract bears has not been completely answered (Byrd 1988). It is difficult to accurately compare the ratio of males to females that are injured by bears because the park does not keep records of visitor use of the park by gender. 1996. However, the injury data for YNP does not suggest that females are more likely to be attacked by bears than are males (Gunther and Hoekstra 1996). U.S. Department of Interior., National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park. Herrero (1985) analyzed the circumstances of hundreds of grizzly bear attacks on humans, including the attacks on the two women in GNP, and concluded that there was no evidence linking menstruation to any of the attacks. Although mating occurs in June, fetal development takes place mainly in the last 2 months of pregnancy after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus in November (delayed implantation). Best practices for traveling safely in bear country. Herrero, S.M. Such a link was also debunked regarding black bears, after a 1991 study recorded the responses of 26 free-ranging black bears to used tampons collected from 26 … Let’s make this concept clear. Use pre-moistened, unscented cleaning towelettes. Montana, Missoula. Many feminine products are heavily scented. Do not bury tampons or pads (pack it in – pack it out). Bear Res. Do not bury tampons or pads (pack it in – pack it out). Bear attacks – their causes and avoidance. Yellowstone National Park, WY Also, burning of any garbage is odorous and may attract bears to your campsite. J. Wildl. 1985. Cubs are born in January after a gestation period of approximately 7 months. Bear attacks - their causes and avoidance. This means hung at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet from the tree trunk. Information Paper BMO-7 Killer bears. Yellowstone Science 4(1):2-9. Grizzly bears are even less productive: in 10 years, a male a female born today could grow to a population of only eight. U.S. Dep. The responses of grizzly bears to menstrual odors … No, they don't. One incident involved a female park ranger moving an injured bear that had been hit by a car, off of the roadway. In short, Black Bears and Grizzly Bears have displayed they are not attracted to menstrual blood or women on their periods. Polar Bears, on the other hand, do seem to show interest in menstrual blood, used tampons, and women on their periods. 1983. Cushing, B.