With the influx in recent bear encounters and the animals being put down as a result, the Conservation Officer Service may start issuing warnings — and fines — to those who aren’t doing their due diligence in removing attractants (see story, page A2).
Between Sept. 14 and 16, 17 bears were destroyed in the Williams Lake and Quesnel areas, and while such measures are certainly open to debate, the fact remains that we all need to do our part to prevent bears from becoming habituated and developing a taste for garbage, bird food, fruit, and the like.
We need to also remember that we are not the only residents of the Cariboo-Chilcotin, an area rich with wildlife and wild places that many of us appreciate and enjoy. Animals, such as bears, are part of the countryside that us humans share with them. In order to preserve wildlife such as bears, we need to help protect those that, at times, cross paths with us.
The best way to do that is to adhere to conservation officers’ advice to keep attractants away from bears.
While no more bears have been killed since Sept. 16, they have been seen in residential areas, including Scout Island, South Lakeside, and Richard and Hodgson roads. Please keep your distance, as trying to interact with them not only gets them used to people, but it is also incredibly dangerous.
Be bear aware and part of the solution.