# Haida build bear dens after logging > Haida Nation creates artificial bear dens to replace lost old-growth trees. - Title: Haida build bear dens after logging · Mother Jones | Shortify - Summary: Haida Nation creates artificial bear dens to replace lost old-growth trees. Haida Nation built 10 artificial bear dens using logging stumps to protect… - Keywords: haida nation, coastal black bear, taan, old growth trees, bear den, logging, haida gwaii, taan forest, den restoration, Haida, build, bear - Source: Mother Jones — https://motherjones.com/environment/2026/10/logging-old-growth-trees-bears-dens-haida-nation-artificial - Author: Sonal Gupta - Published: 2026-10-10T07:30:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: haida nation, coastal black bear, taan, old growth trees, bear den, logging, bc, haida gwaii, taan forest, den restoration ## Haida Nation builds bear dens Elijah Washington and crew created seven artificial bear dens from logging stumps this summer. > You just want it to be small enough for a mother bear to move in ## Coastal black bears need old growth Coastal black bears rely on large old-growth trees for winter dens but logging has removed many shelters. > The only place where bears can have babies is in a den ## Bears need shelter for cubs Cubs stay in dens for up to 100 days while mothers nurse them through winter. > The only place where bears can have babies is in a den ## Logging threatens bear habitats BC has expanded protections but old-growth harvesting continues, with logging industry arguing against full protection. > Stopping it altogether would shut down the sector ## Haida create artificial dens Haida Nation crews convert logging stumps into bear dens using plywood, moss, and chainsaws. > You just want it to be small enough for a mother bear to move in ## Bears use the new dens Bears have used and returned to one of Taan Forest’s modified dens each year since 2023. > Bears used one of the dens through the winter and spring of 2023 and have returned annually since ## Haida worry about food sources Haida members fear second-growth forests lack food for bears after deer eat low-growing vegetation. > It’s a moss lawn between trees ## Haida history with bears Haida people have used trees for homes and tools while leaving forests intact for animals. > People selected individual trees, used them fully and left the surrounding forest standing ## Bears need both shelter and food Bears require shelter and feeding areas within their home ranges to survive. > They don’t just pick up and march off to some far-flung patch of remaining old growth and all den there together ## Monitoring dens for bear health Cameras and hair tests will track bear use of dens to monitor health and population. > Hair naturally caught at den entrances can be tested for DNA ## Haida protect bears from hunting Haida Nation reports bears killed for gallbladders despite BC bans on bear gallbladder trade. > They used to sleep under the trees and there was never any fear of that ## Haida build dens for bears Haida Nation created 10 artificial bear dens using logging stumps to protect coastal black bears. > We don’t want to create a whole community out here ## Bears use dens for winter Bears use modified dens for winter shelter and return annually to the same sites. > Bears used one of the dens through the winter and spring of 2023 and have returned annually since ## Haida history with trees Haida ancestors cut into trees to see if they could be used for houses, leaving them standing for bears. > Finding rot at the core, they left it standing ## Haida worry about storms Haida members fear second-growth forests may not withstand winter storms. > It’s also the forest around them that needs to be strong ## Haida monitor bear health Haida Nation tracks bear health through den use and food availability. > We want to have like one bear that’s safe enough to come out here ## Key takeaway Haida Nation built 10 artificial bear dens using logging stumps to protect coastal black bears from habitat loss.