Learn to live with bears ... =))) British Columbia is home to the largest black bear population in North America, not to mention a growing human population. As urban centres expand throughout the province, people and black bears are brought closer together – and conflicts between the two are on the rise. “Black bears spend much of their lives searching for and investigating different food items,” says BC SPCA humane educator Meghann Cant, who is completing a Masters degree in black bear rehabilitation. According to Cant, each year the drive to eat becomes especially strong in the late summer and early fall as bears prepare for hibernation. “During this period, they consume three times as much food in a day as they do in the spring and early summer,” says Cant. They can double their weight in a matter of weeks, building up essential fat reserves to help them survive the winter. However, problems arise when weather conditions cause natural crops such as berries and nuts – crops that black bears rely on – to fail. “When you have a cool summer, like we did this year, the snow pack remains high and the berries and other foods fail to materialize, so bears begin to look elsewhere to bulk up,” says Cant. Human foods are an attractive option. “Bears are then lured into close proximity to people by compost piles, bird feeders, household garbage, food scraps and smells from unclean barbeques, orchards, garden produce and pet food.” Over time, bears may lose their natural fear of humans, and actually come to associate people with food – with serious consequences. Although the risk of injury from a black bear is minimal, the fact is the risk exists. The result: “Hundreds of ‘problem’ bears are destroyed by Conservation Officers every year,” says Cant. Given the danger faced by people and by black bears, human-bear conflicts deserve our close and serious attention. Fortunately, Cant suggests conflicts can be reduced by following these tips: •Keep garbage secured in the house, garage or shed until pick-up day; •Pick up ripe and fallen fruit daily; •Clean barbecue grills after each use, and store barbecues in a secure area; •Bring pet food dishes inside; •Turn compost regularly, and keep compost bins covered; •Work with neighbours to create a bear-aware neighbourhood. By changing our own behaviour, we can learn to coexist with black bears to help make B.C. a safer place for the both of us.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:22:23 +0000
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