The mauling on Saturday of a 10-year old girl on a trail in Coquitlam is a wake-up call to people who think they don't need to worry about bears.
It's true bears are probably less dangerous than an excitable unleashed dog — and will generally run away if startled. But increasing numbers of bruins are making their homes in Tri-City neighbourhoods, prompting a need for greater vigilance about garbage and other bear attractants, and awareness about how to be safe in the woods.
This is not a call to cull bears or arm vigilante groups with poison, tranquilizer guns, traps or bear spray but is simply a request for people to know what to do when they're walking on a trail (clap to let them know you're coming, talk loudly, scuffle feet), and back off if you see a bruin in your path. Of course, you should also also leash your dog and keep your children close.
The problem is this message is not being heard and some people are still leaving garbage out — or worse, dumping household garbage in city parks. This is like opening up a McDonalds franchise in the woods and inviting bears to drop by for dinner.
It's stupid. And what's more, garbage dumping may have created a perfect storm for the tragic assault of the youngster on a trail near the Coquitlam River. That garbage, strewn about next to a bear-resistant trash bin, was clearly visited by bears, which had left scat and half-eaten apples next to it.
Should the city have cleaned up the garbage sooner? Certainly.
Could there be signs reminding people to be alert about bears and be cautious on trails? Absolutely.
But sadly, those messages often go unheeded and likely wouldn't have prevented Saturday's incident because the animal involved was clearly protecting its cub, was not a known garbage bear and was likely startled.
We can't be complacent and if the city is going to allow more homes and trails to be built in bear habitat, much more effort, including deterrents and constant reminders, are needed to ensure people, and bears, are safe from one another.
