10 bears may be killed in Adams Lake, B.C.

Ten black bears living in a First Nations’ reserve in Adams Lake may have to be put down after they showed aggression toward residents on Monday.

Conservation officers responded to complaints of a significant bear problem on the reserve and assessed the situation Tuesday.

“We found up to around 10 bears that have taken up residence right in and adjacent to the community,” conservation officer Darcy MacPhee said.

MacPhee said bears travelled to the community in search of food because berries were depleted due to an extremely dry summer. The bears have stayed there to feast on fruit trees and garbage.

The bears have grown accustomed to their human neighbours, according to MacPhee, and have shown aggressive behaviour.

“As bears become used to existing with humans, they change from running away from sounds to standing their ground, approaching people and being aggressive,” MacPhee said.

MacPhee said Monday night a bear came in close proximity with a five-year-old girl who was in her back yard. The same night a different bear charged at another resident. MacPhee called it “very concerning behaviour.”

Conservation officers worked with the community to formulate a plan to remove fruit trees and increase bear proof containers, but said the reality is some of the bears will have to be put down.

“It’s likely bears will be killed. We have strict guidelines on removal and bears that are into garbage and food are not candidates to be moved,” MacPhee said. “If they’re habituated to human food sources, or behaving aggressively, they’re not candidates.”

MacPhee said that even if they can move some bears, the reality is that relocation doesn’t work.

“Everyone wants us to move bears, but our experience is relocation is a complete failure,” he said. “Bears simply do not want to be moved to unfamiliar locations. We try to do this with family units and they just turn around and come back.”

MacPhee said the solution is prevention and urges communities to be vigilant with garbage removal and to avoid having fruit trees and other attractants in yards.

Conservation officers will be capturing and sedating the bears Wednesday to assess how many will be euthanized or relocated. Any bear cubs will be sent for rehabilitation.