Metro Vancouver has begun to crack down on looky-loos who are causing confusion and chaos on a narrow stretch of road leading to Minnekhada Regional Park that is frequented by bears.
Oliver Road in northeast Coquitlam is popular among dog walkers, cyclists, hikers and picnickers but bears also hang out there in the summer for blueberries in area fields and in the fall for salmon in streams.
In dozens of incidents recorded by park staff, park visitors are approaching bears to take photos or even, while walking or cycling refusing to get out of the way of bears.
Sometimes, people get out of their cars in the middle of the one-lane road, causing “bear jams.”
And it has to stop, says Metro Vancouver park operations supervisor Marcel LaBreche.
“We want people to keep back 100 m and keep the road clear so we don’t have to shut down the whole area," he said.
In recent months, there have been five incidents of bears exhibiting defensive behaviour, such as clacking their teeth, growling and bluff charging (when a bruin charges in order to scare off a perceived threat).
Still, people seem to be slow to get the message, whether from wild animals or human officials.
‘Once we had someone driving their car down the road, following a bear. They got out of car to take a picture and the bear gave a bluff charge.”
Parks workers have been patrolling day and night talking to people and encouraging them to stay 100 m or more away from bears. In some cases, however, their advice is being ignored, putting people and bears at risk.
LaBreche said parks workers don’t have the power to ticket but are working with the BC Conservation Officer Service, which is responsible for enforcing against wildlife harassment.
In the meantime, the hope is that a combination of more signs, more education and talking to park visitors will encourage people to keep their distance. Otherwise a conflict could arise, resulting in a bear being destroyed, LaBreche pointed out.
Since May, according to Metro Vancouver figures, there have been 130 bear sightings in the park. DO'S AND DON'T'S
• Don’t try to pass the bear while walking or cycling.
• Don’t stand in the way of a bear walking on the path.
• Don’t park or get out of your car to take a photo.
• Do keep a 100 M distance away from a bear.
Metro Vancouver has begun to crack down on looky-loos who are causing confusion and chaos on a narrow stretch of road leading to Minnekhada Regional Park that is frequented by bears.
Oliver Road in northeast Coquitlam is popular among dog walkers, cyclists, hikers and picnickers but bears also hang out there in the summer for blueberries in area fields and in the fall for salmon in streams.
In dozens of incidents recorded by park staff, park visitors are approaching bears to take photos or even, while walking or cycling refusing to get out of the way of bears.
Sometimes, people get out of their cars in the middle of the one-lane road, causing “bear jams.”
And it has to stop, says Metro Vancouver park operations supervisor Marcel LaBreche.
“We want people to keep back 100 m and keep the road clear so we don’t have to shut down the whole area," he said.
In recent months, there have been five incidents of bears exhibiting defensive behaviour, such as clacking their teeth, growling and bluff charging (when a bruin charges in order to scare off a perceived threat).
Still, people seem to be slow to get the message, whether from wild animals or human officials.
‘Once we had someone driving their car down the road, following a bear. They got out of car to take a picture and the bear gave a bluff charge.”
Parks workers have been patrolling day and night talking to people and encouraging them to stay 100 m or more away from bears. In some cases, however, their advice is being ignored, putting people and bears at risk.
LaBreche said parks workers don’t have the power to ticket but are working with the BC Conservation Officer Service, which is responsible for enforcing against wildlife harassment.
In the meantime, the hope is that a combination of more signs, more education and talking to park visitors will encourage people to keep their distance. Otherwise a conflict could arise, resulting in a bear being destroyed, LaBreche pointed out.
Since May, according to Metro Vancouver figures, there have been 130 bear sightings in the park. DO'S AND DON'T'S
• Don’t try to pass the bear while walking or cycling.
• Don’t stand in the way of a bear walking on the path.
• Don’t park or get out of your car to take a photo.
• Do keep a 100 M distance away from a bear.
