Advocacy group says more education is needed as bear killings continue to rise
An advocacy group says a bear that entered a home in Port Moody and was spotted multiple times in the neighbourhood should have been relocated, not killed.
The black bear had been frequenting the Wilkes Creek area on Sunday, June 6. The BC Conservation Officer Service says the bear was not a candidate for relocation as it was acting dangerously, including charging at a man in his backyard and entering an occupied home.
“The adult bear displayed habituated and food-conditioned behaviour, which showed no fear of people,” BCCOS spokesperson Sgt. Todd Hunter said in an email to CTV News.
“The escalating behaviour of this bear was very concerning to conservation officers and an extreme public safety risk,” Hunter added. “We understand people are passionate about wildlife but this bear was not a candidate for relocation – the risk to the public was simply far too great.”
Residents who live in the Wilke Creek area tell CTV News Vancouver that bear sightings have become more common in recent years.
“I’m really afraid,” said resident Leyla Roshansad. “I don’t know what I would do if I saw them.”
“I think neighbours may not put their trash inside and that’s why it attracts them,” Roshansad added.
The B.C. Bear Alliance said food is not the only reason bears are drawn to communities.
“Being in a human environment, bears are smart, they recognize that they’re safe from the larger and more competitive bears that may kill a cub or injure one,” said alliance member Ellie Lamb. “They stay away from predators while they’re healing from a broken leg or raising their kids. That is the best strategy and it’s a smart strategy as well.”
According to the provincial Ministry of Environment, roughly 520 black bears have been killed by conservation officers in B.C. since April 2020.
The B.C. Bear Alliance is calling for more education and understanding on how to coexist with the animals in a much more peaceful way.
“We’re pushing to have more ethical and humane considerations towards these animals,” said Lamb. “This little guy did not know what he was allowed to do and not allowed to do, and he was never given the chance to learn.”
She said coexisting with bears should include giving them the opportunity to leave when they get too close.
“Be very clear in communication with the bear, use tone and raise your voice so they can hear you,” Lamb said. “If they get too close to you, throw a rock or a hiss of bear spray. The bear needs to understand that when you ask them to leave, they will leave, which is what they would prefer to do.”
The conversation officer service is also asking people to securely store garbage, pet food, bird seed and other attractants, to help prevent bears and other wildlife from accessing them.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.