The first bear of the season was destroyed in Squamish this week.
The killing occurred Sunday at the Stawamus Chief Campground, where the 200-lb. black bear had been happily helping himself to campers’ food and garbage and was becoming bolder, according to a report provided to Meg Toom of Wildlife BC. Conservation officers base their response on a matrix of behaviour, and apparently the bear presented a threat to safety.
When a bear is killed by conservation officers, it’s because that bear has become too habituated to humans and has been hanging around our garbage cans or backyard fruit trees, instead of exhibiting normal, skittish behaviour, according to experts. Bears are normally afraid of human beings, and we should also have a healthy fear of them and their power to destroy us, should they so choose. When bears become comfortable in our surroundings, their lives are in danger from authorities who may kill them.
These beautiful, burly, berry-eating creatures deserve to live. When a bear starts making herself comfortable in a yard, snacking from garbage cans and relaxing as it eats the fruit that has dropped from trees, that bear can be a danger to your family and the entire neighbourhood (although actual bear attacks are rare). You might be happy to have the bear there and even get out your cellphone to record a video, but it’s exactly the wrong response. And that cute big bear might be killed next week because of you.
So listen to the experts: Yell at the bear and let the dog bark. Scare that bear away before it makes itself at home. It’s up to us to ensure the bear is not allowed to reward herself with food from our garbage. You might be happy to have her there, but the conservation officers will eventually have to kill her to protect your neighbour’s children.
This could be a tough year for local black bears as the summer heat has caused creeks to dry out. Bears seek water in the heat, so we’re more likely to see them by rivers or irrigated areas like golf courses, according to bear researcher Michael Allen. Also, bears might seek out garbage more this year because there simply aren’t enough berries following the heat that damaged berry bushes. All this means we’re more likely to encounter the creatures this year, and the potential for conflict is higher than usual.
Beware of bears. Be a little scared and wary. Your fear could save their lives.
– Editor Christine Endicott
