Lucas Brehaut was optimistic about the attention his research would receive, but the wildlife in Newfoundland’s wilderness had other plans, often causing damage to his equipment. As a wildfire research scientist with the Canadian Forest Service, Brehaut focuses on studying forest regeneration in Atlantic Canada post wildfires, despite the region experiencing an increase in forest fires despite its cooler and wetter climate compared to other parts of the country.
Following a forest fire near Grand Falls-Windsor, N.L., in 2022, Brehaut embarked on a study to observe how forests could regenerate amid rising temperatures due to climate change. To conduct this research, he and his team transported 19 open-top chambers (OTCs) through the forest to place them around seedlings they had planted. These OTCs act as miniature greenhouses, raising temperatures by one to three degrees to simulate the impact of a warming planet. Brehaut’s study is currently in its third year of a five-year project.
Encountering challenges such as long treks through rugged terrain and the unpredictable Newfoundland weather was expected by Brehaut. However, in September 2023, during a routine check-in, he faced an unexpected issue.
Several animals, including caribou, moose, black bears, rabbits, coyotes, and owls, were found interacting with his research equipment. Cameras initially set up to monitor snow depth over winter captured these curious creatures causing disruptions at the research sites. Approximately 11 out of the 19 sites suffered damage at various points, with some animals even absconding with temperature sensors.
Despite the setbacks, Brehaut remains understanding, acknowledging that the animals are merely exploring their habitat. Kaitlyn Gaynor, an assistant professor at the University of British Columbia, explains that intelligent animals are naturally curious about new objects in their environment, driven by the possibility of food or perceived threats.
Gaynor cites bears as an example, highlighting their generalist omnivorous nature and keen interest in novel items that could potentially be food sources. Additionally, the presence of human scent on research equipment can attract animals, leading to further interference.
Interference by animals in research activities is a global phenomenon, often observed during fieldwork across different regions. Gaynor recounts encounters with various animals disrupting research work in Mozambique, with elephants being particularly destructive due to their intelligence and curiosity.
While animals pose significant challenges to research equipment, Brehaut also notes instances of human interference, such as snowmobiles inadvertently damaging research plots during snowy winters in Newfoundland.
