Amendments to the B.C. Wildlife Act will give conservation officers more clout in cracking down on people who are careless with garbage and other attractants that lure bears to urban neighbourhoods.
Under new rules proposed by Attorney General Shirley Bond, a $230 fine could be levied for mismanagement of food, compost and garbage waste that attracts dangerous wildlife, such as grizzly and black bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves.
If approved, the new rules - on top of fines allowed under city bylaws - could make it easier to convince people to change their habits, says Drake Stephens, who was recently named urban wildlife co-ordinator for the city of Coquitlam.
The long-time Bear Aware representative said city officials appreciate the support of the province and the help of conservation officers in trying to deal with the issue. Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Anmore saw 13 bears shot for garbage-related issues this summer, another four bears had to be destroyed because of injuries and accidents - and all because people didn't look after their garbage, he said.
"We've been pushing for it," said Stephens said of tougher provincial laws.
"Here in the Tri-Cities, a bear can be in Coquitlam one day and Port Moody the next," he said, adding that the province needs a consistent approach to manage wildlife attractants, especially in areas where there are no rules.
In the Tri-Cities, where problems with bears have been on the increase because of poor natural food crops and urban encroachment, new bylaws and fines have been implemented to regulate garbage set out times and improve management of attractants. These fines range from $50 to $500 depending on the city and the offence but they are rarely given out. Instead, scofflaws are provided with information and warning letters, and told to clean up their act.
B.C. Conservation officers can also levy a $575 fine if property owners disregard a Dangerous Wildlife Protection Order. But the new fine would provide those officers with more options, Stephens.
Meanwhile, local black bears appear to have heeded nature's call and have headed deeper into the woods, possibly following salmon spawning creeks for their last hit of calories.
Stephens said he hopes they fill up on fish and then hibernate but he warns residents not to be careless of their garbage in case a few decide to stick around. Just this week, he received a call about an injured bear cub near Walton Park.
