The Editor,
Re. “Hearts vs. heads on bears” (The Tri-City News, March 8)
I was shocked to read that 15 bears were killed last year in Coquitlam. There is just one word to describe this disgraceful situation: shame.
Shame on the city. Every councillor is personally responsible for each bear death. Only they have the means to prevent the killings (heavy enforcement) yet they choose not to employ it adequately. The city could also be planting natural bear foods in safe areas to replace food sources that city expansion has destroyed.
Shame on residents who just can’t be bothered containing their garbage. Repeated hits to their pocketbooks are the only thing these people are capable of understanding.
Shame on the Bear Aware program for rarely, if ever, providing practical information about bears — i.e., how to be noticed by bears when walking dogs at night (bells/loud voices), how to avoid encounters in the backyard (awareness), how to respond to a bear encounter (leave it alone) — plus a robust system to make sure every resident gets the information.
Shame on the police, who can’t be bothered managing people in close encounter situations. Remove people and leave the bear alone — it will wander away. It’s too easy for them to just call the conservation officer.
Shame on the BC Conservation Service, which kills with little thought given to real circumstances. I closely follow bear kills in Port Moody and each killing has been in response to a perceived threat. There has never been a real threat by a bear. The ear tag is nothing more than a death sentence, an excuse to kill on sight — it serves no other purpose.
Shame on the media for not reporting every killing in enough detail to clearly indicate responsibility for the killing. Hint: It is never the bear.
I live with bears in my yard in Port Moody and the opportunity for close-up viewing of these beautiful animals is always a thrill. But I do not want them to become comfortable close to houses so I reluctantly chase them from the yard. A loud yell is usually all it takes as they are timid. I always announce myself when entering my backyard, saying, “Hey bear.”
Ron Long, Port Moody
