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
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.