Too many black bears are being killed in North Shore neighbourhoods because they see our garbage as an ursine smorgasbord.
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart is fed up and is calling for fines of up to $10,000 for brazen citizens who flout bear-aware bylaws, some of which currently impose fines as low as $500.
“I’m looking at a broader range of penalties and certainly a higher maximum,” Stewart told The Province on Monday after meeting with city staff on the issue.
“The maximum would be reached immediately if the bear had to be shot because of your garbage.”
Stewart says compliance with bear bylaws appears to be highest in newer neighbourhoods.
“Our biggest problems now are in 50-year-old neighbourhoods,” he said.
“It’s simply carelessness of our residents.”
Stewart says educating the public about proper garbage disposal habits is paramount.
“We’ve got to make sure everybody knows about this and that ignorance isn’t used as an excuse.
“If it’s a deliberate feeding of bears, I think we’re shooting the wrong animal,” he said.
He stressed the importance of residents putting out their garbage on the morning it is scheduled for pickup, not the night before.
Four black bears have been destroyed by Conservation Officers in Coquitlam in the last two weeks — all found seeking out easily accessible garbage in residential areas.
Stewart envisions a regime whereby offending residents would first receive a notice, then a face-to-face warning before being fined.
“I want to see [fines of] at least $5,000, and it may well be that we have fines that are up to $10,000 … for people who understand [proper garbage routine] but they don’t do it,” said Stewart.
One of two bears that were causing problems in North Vancouver District on Sunday had to be destroyed, provincial Conservation Officer Alexandre Desjardins told The Province.
“When we go on site and have to destroy a bear, we have a matrix to follow,” he said.
“The bear had been going from house to house, ransacking garbage. It obviously lost its fear of humans and had become a threat to public safety.”
The other bear caught Sunday was relocated.
Wildlife biologist Jack Evans said the worst year he can remember is 1986, when more than 400 black bears were destroyed on the North Shore.
Now, an abundance of food at lower elevations in recent years has produced a population boom in the black bear population, which is causing bears to change their feeding behaviours, said Evans.
“[Some sows] are producing two and three and four cubs, so that’s an indication that the habitat is really good,” said Evans.
With so many bears being born and surviving, “you’ve got a dense population,” he said.
Tony Webb, chairman of North Shore Black Bear Network, said the group was formed after 40 bears were destroyed in one bear season 11 years ago.
“The trick is not to let a bear get addicted, or habituated, in the first place,” said Webb.
He suggests people call 604-990-2327 to report bear sightings and to get more information on the problem.
— with a file from Coquitlam Now
April through October is bear season. Here are a few tips on safe garbage disposal:
• Place garbage containers at the curb on the morning of collection day between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m., never overnight.
• Double-bag food waste.
• Clean garbage cans regularly.
• Store containers in a locked garage, shed or basement.
• Pick fruit as it ripens, not allowing it to accumulate on the ground.
• Remove bird feeders, all wildlife feeders attract bears.
• Clean barbecues thoroughly after each use.
• Keep your property clean. Garbage and things that smell such as dirty diapers and animal waste attract bears.
• Bring pets and their food dishes indoors.
• Go easy on the compost. Keep unrinsed eggshells, meat, fish, fat and oils out of your garbage. Turn compost regularly, covering it with leaves. Use lime and soil to minimize odours. Keep a lid on it. All new compost must be buried.
• Rinse all jars and cans before putting them into your blue box.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers indoors.
Report all bear sightings to 604-990-BEAR (2327).
Editor's Note: For further tips on co-existing with bears and managind attractants, please click here...
