Bears are being killed in large numbers in the Tri-Cities — as many as 15 were euthanized last year — despite efforts by cities to toughen garbage bylaws, and ramp up education, warnings and fines. Coquitlam was even given Bear Smart status for its efforts.
Yet every summer and fall, conservation officers are called to neighbourhoods where bears are getting into garbage and the creatures have to be euthanized because they get used to available food and just won't leave.
Whatever the reason, you would think after 10 years of education in the Tri-Cities, the number of bear kills would be dropping.
In fact, this year was one of the worst for bear complaints and bear deaths in recent memory. There appears to be no correlation between education and enforcement and bear deaths except that perhaps people are more inclined to make a complaint if they see a bear than in years past.
The trend line we would like to see includes fewer problems with bears and a reduction in the number of bear kills as a result of more education and enforcement.
Let's hope that's the future for 2017.
