Up Close & Personal with Bears & Cougars

Wenatchee River Institute Red Barn event, Up Close and Personal with Bears and Cougars

Over the past twenty years, long-term focused research in WA State has resulted in a more complete understanding of the complex world of the area’s carnivore ecology and management. On Wed. Mar. 18, 7-8:30PM in Wenatchee River Institute’s (WRI) Red Barn, Rich Beausoleil, Bear & Cougar Specialist and Karelian Bear Dog Program lead for the Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, will share research specifics.

During the presentation, Beausoleil will talk about how bears and cougars live, interact with each other, and orient themselves on the landscape. He will discuss carnivore-human interactions and offer needed perspective into what frequently appears to be sea of conflicting interpretations.

“These animals are often feared and misunderstood. It is my hope to provide scientific facts during the presentation so those attending can understand and appreciate Washington’s apex carnivores,” said Beausoleil, who has worked with WA carnivores for more than 22 years.

During 2019 in Leavenworth, there were significant wildlife-human interactions. Beausoleil wants to stress, “These interactions were entirely preventable, but it takes a community-wide commitment to address the root cause of the problem.” This Red Barn event will provide participants with the necessary education and preventative solutions that work to address these causes –and they may not be what you would expect!

Doors open at 6:30pm for community social with local beer and wine available for purchase. The event is free with donations are gratefully accepted to benefit WRI youth and adult programs. For more information, contact Rebecca Ryan at (509)548-0181 x2 or rryan@wenatcheeriverinstitute.org

Event link: https://wenatcheeriverinstitute.org/event-calendar.html/event/2020/03/18/red-barn-event-up-close-and-personal-with-bears-and-cougars/274355