Learn about living with bears; creating bear smart communities; recreating in bear country; bear safety at work; and managing bears (for wildlife officials).

Bearsmart Blog

Help! There’s a Bear in my Kitchen!

Unfortunately this has been the case lately in Whistler. Sadly this has resulted in two bears being killed since Thanksgiving.

When bears enter occupied buildings they are not hazed out of the area. They are not relocated, translocated, or put in a zoo. Most times they are killed due to public safety concerns.

Want to make sure this does not happen at your home or vacation rental? Keep doors and windows closed and locked at night and when you are not at home – especially ground floor ones (although bears are good climbers and can access upper levels too). Don’t give them the opportunity to raid your pantry or fridge. Because they are just looking for food. In our society, the punishment for this offense is death.