A black bear that had been acting aggressively was killed by conservation officers in Britannia Beach on May 15, the Ministry of Environment and Parks confirms.
The bear had to be destroyed to “ensure public safety as per provincial response guidelines,” said a ministry spokesperson.
The bear had become habituated to humans and was displaying unnatural, food-conditioned behaviour that escalated, including accessing garbage and non-natural food attractants, as well as multiple attempts to access homes, according to the spokesperson.
Though no one was injured, the bear caused property damage and repeatedly charged at people—including a responding conservation officer—as well as local dogs.
Posts on the Britannia Beach Community Bulletin Board note that the bear had not been deterred by noise, shouting or any usual deterrent.
According to WildSafeBC, black bears become more assertive or destructive when they learn to associate humans or their activities with food. Bears eat mostly vegetation but are also carnivores, and while they do not actively hunt humans and usually avoid human confrontation, they can respond if threatened, or in this case, when they have become habituated.
Bears have a profound sense of smell, being able to locate food over a kilometre away.
The Conservation Officer Service (COS), which receives 14,000 to 25,000 calls per year regarding black bear encounters, will continue to work to increase awareness and education around the importance of attractant management, the spokesperson said.
“Securing materials that may attract bears, such as garbage, pet food and birdseed, is the best way to help keep people and bears safe,” the ministry spokesperson said.
Wildlife conflicts involving bears that are aggressive, or sightings in urban areas should be reported to the police or the COS at 877-952-7277.
Ina Pace is The Squamish Chief's Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) reporter.
This reporting was produced through the LJI, which supports original civic journalism across Canada.
