Another bear destroyed in West Vancouver

Another bear has been destroyed in West Vancouver, the fourth in the North Shore to pay the price for human negligence. On June 16, a bear was trapped near Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver and killed by Conservation officer, said Christine Miller, the executive director of North Shore Black Bear Society.

She said another bear came to the same street next day and created havoc with garbage and organics that were stories in people’s carports.  “It is evident that there are people who are not following recommended practises of freezing odorous food scraps (especially meat and fish scraps) until the morning of collection, especially if they do not have a garage,” Miller said.

Four bears have been killed so far on the North Shore this year. In April, a bear was killed in Lynn Valley while another bear had to be destroyed in the British Properties. In May, a bear was killed near Park Royal Shopping Centre.  Many of these deaths were preventable as bears follow their noses into residential areas and return to where they find rewards, Miller noted.

“In addition to keeping household waste inaccessible, we recommend that bird feeders are removed during bear season unless the resident is an avid birder and is present to monitor the feeder and watch the birds and barbecues are cleaned and the grease traps emptied & cleaned after each use,” she said.

No fridges or freezers should be kept outside. When people know there is a bear around, ground floor windows and doors should be kept closed so wildlife doesn’t follow their noses into the home, Miller said.

In 2018, two bears were killed in the North Shore, one in the District of North Vancouver and another in the District of West Vancouver. In 2016, as many as 18 bears were killed in the North Shore, 10 in West Vancouver and eight in North Vancouver.