We are working with Himalayan black bear conservation in central Nepal where people face heavy crop losses due to invading bears. Like beehive fencing been used for deterring elephants, is there any work being done done how to deter bears?
Please have a look at this useful researchgate link.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/261962694_Asiatic_black_bear-human_interactions_around_Dachigam_National_Park_Kashmir_India
Article Asiatic black bear-human interactions around Dachigam Nation...
They've done quite a bit of work on brown bear - farming interaction in central Europe esp. Slovakia where they damage beehive and kill livestock. Robin Rigg has written some publications.
Bear crave for honey (although Yogi bear bartered honey for picnic baskets) and sweet berries as pre-sugarcane humans did/do. Bear hunt small-stock and baby herbivore. Therefore, in bear country honey comb and sheep need to be protected. In the Apennines, fences around honey combs are subsidized and insurance /compensation is available. Further, sheep herds are/were corralled (a.k.a. kraaled in southern Africa) at night together with several trained, special breed shepherd dogs for protection against predators, bear and wolf in the Apennines. During day-time the sheep are shepherded with the same dogs. If you want know how this functions in practice today, please contact one the authors of the attached.
The cost of protection is substantial for the bee keeper and sheep farmer, but there are no benefits for the farmer from bear on his land. There lies the ultimate conflict of interest to be mediated. Da liegt der Hund begraben (German expression)
If interested in bear conservation, you may read the recent article in the Guardian on sheep driven over the cliff edge in the French/Spanish Pyrenees by a bear. Although the Pyrenees shepherd dog is similar to the Apennine breed, its management practice seems to have been lost in the Pyrenees.
Article Where the bears roam in Majella National Park, Italy
You might also have success in using American Black Bear techniques as well. Their natural history and the way they depredate crops is very similar to the Himalayan black bear. Generally, solar powered electric fence and dogs work well, but come with some cost.
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