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Manage your attractants

Editor: Re: “First bear of the season euthanized on Sunshine Coast,” June 18. Due to human carelessness, a young bear sadly and unnecessarily lost his life earlier this season.

Editor:

Re: “First bear of the season euthanized on Sunshine Coast,” June 18.

Due to human carelessness, a young bear sadly and unnecessarily lost his life earlier this season. This young bear had most likely been recently dispersed by his mum and was just trying to find his independence.

Black bears are highly intelligent, adaptable animals. We are very fortunate to live in a community where they reside and we are grateful to those residents making efforts to learn about living respectfully and safely with our resident bears.

Since 2016, the relocation of bears has not been seen to be an effective management strategy in British Columbia. In this case the Conservation Service did try to relocate this young bear, but as often occurs he returned to his home and being deemed a safety risk was killed. 

Habitat loss and urban development see our bears spending more time in our neighbourhoods. It is imperative that residents properly manage garbage and attractants to prevent our bears from accessing non-natural food sources. Otherwise, another bear takes this young bear’s place, and if attractants remain, the intolerable equation that ends with the early deaths of our bears will continue.

We appeal to residents to: freeze odorous organics, clean carts with a vinegar solution, and wrap food scraps in paper bags or newspapers to reduce odours. Wash and rinse all containers to be recycled and keep garbage, organic bins and recycling in a secure place until the morning of collection. Bring in bird feeders during bear season, burn off barbecue residues and clean grease traps, pick up any fallen fruit, feed pets indoors and keep pet food inside. Do not leave food wrappers or scented products in your vehicle and lock all car doors. Protect urban livestock with electric fencing.

Diane Henley, Irina Fox,
Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance Society