Why Bears Shouldn’t Live In The Woods
But Matt, isn’t that the natural habitat of most bears in the Pacific Northwest? Yes, it is, but that doesn’t mean that bears shouldn’t be forced to evolve and, as if storybook characters, come to inhabit homes of their own where they eat porridge and sleep in proper beds. After all, we can’t have them wandering into suburban neighbourhoods that have been happily carved deeper and deeper into a vast wilderness.
Bears are largely olfactory creatures, which means that they have a fantastically heightened sense of smell. They can, for example, smell the residue on barbeques, the content of compost piles and refuse, and the slight perfumed essence of little blonde girls that are sleeping in their beds. Of course, that doesn’t give them the right to actually wander into backyards to investigate, no matter how close those backyards happen to be to their own natural habitat. After all, and as we’re all aware, the wild bear’s thirst for human blood is unequaled in the animal kingdom. Were they to organize, surely they would launch a coordinated attack on numerous Vancouver suburban areas, feasting on the flesh of infants, house pets, and demonically swimming in the blood of thousands of innocents.
“Oh sweet irony!” we will exclaim as their incalculable numbers lumber through our once quiet suburban enclaves, devastating everything in their path. Holed up in basements and tastefully appointed second floor ensuite bathrooms, residents will be forced to dawn Ted Nugent t-shirts in hopes that his image alone might act as some sort of magical deterrent against their bloodthirsty wrath.
If we were smart (unfortunately the jury’s still out on that one) we would launch a preemptive strike. Employing some of the Province’s foremost developers we could set about consuming more of the bear’s natural habitat, replacing it with still more houses and golf courses and strip malls, thus driving them further into the northern wilds. Of course, there’s always the possibility that they might still pose a threat to those neighborhoods buttressed against the tree line - but hey, that’s why God invented Napalm.
All Ridiculousness Aside
In truth, wild bears, unless they have cubs, will run from humans the majority of the time – unless, that is, they are intentionally provoked or threatened, and even then, escape due to fear is commonly their primary aim. For the most part, when in their natural habitat, and far removed from humans, bears are commonly unusually docile given their stature and power as compared to other animals of their size and position within the food chain. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, though it is the bear, not ourselves, that we blame for it.
When I was a child, the city of Coquitlam, while technically coveting a vast area, had not yet began to earnestly develop the woods north of the Barnet Highway. Of course, Ioco and the communities along the inlet had existed for decades, but beyond that the area east of them was largely untouched.
In the 80’s things began to change, as the development potential of the Westwood Plateau was finally realized. Thus, the area between the inlet and Lafarge lake saw immediate development, a trend that would spread north into the mountains, with houses soon dominating the Eagleridge bluffs.
That trend continues unabated to this day. In fact, the majority of Coquitlam’s population is now located in what was once a sparsely populated area. They even moved City Hall from its traditional location on Brunette Avenue to Guildford Way, a road that when I was in my early 20’s was still predominantly lined by woods.
So what does this have to do with bears? Well, that’s obvious enough. With the rapid expansion of homes into the hills, the natural habitat of animals has been significantly encroached upon in a very short period of time. Again, when I was in my late teens and early 20’s, it wasn’t uncommon to hear stories of deer wandering into clear cut areas on the hill completely perplexed as to where the forest had gone. Added to that was a sudden rise in coyote sightings, with attacks on dogs and cats in the area becoming more frequent.
I remember walking to IGA in Port Moody one evening, which back then was surrounded by woods, and witnessing a coyote get hit by a car that was coming up to the lights. It was thrown onto the sidewalk by the impact and lay there immobile. Concerned about the animal’s welfare, I ran across the street and, along with the man that had been driving the car, approached it trying to gauge its injuries. The coyote didn’t move, it just lay there whimpering and making an unusual gurgling sound. Finally, reaching the animal, I realized that it was choking on its tongue, so I did one of the most reactionary things I have ever done in my life – I reached into its mouth and coaxed its tongue out of its throat. The man that had hit the coyote called me ‘crazy’, I remember that distinctly, but the animal made no threatening movements once I had removed my hand. After it started to breathe normally, and came to its senses, it simply got up and roughly lumbered away.
That singular event has stayed with me my entire life and has had a profound impact on how I view human encroachment on Greater Vancouver’s outlying forests.
Despite their behaviour in the wild, the mindset of animals is dramatically affected when their environment is encroached upon and they find themselves living in close proximity to humans. Bears, for example, especially if they are born into such an environment, will include in their foraging traits some dependence on human refuse, among other things. They also quickly lose their innate fear of humans, making them bolder and, at times, more aggressive when confronted. But what should not be overlooked, no matter the fears of those of those that live in close proximity to them, is that we have encroached on their habitat and adversely affected their behaviour by doing so – not the other way around.
If you are willing to live in a new home that borders a large expanse of wilderness you should be prepared to deal with the fact that the behavioural patterns of animals in the area will have been altered. That being the case, you have to take special care when it comes to your pets, young children, how you dispose of your garbage, and so forth. The truth is, animals cannot be blamed for the changes in their behaviour when they are exposed to the introduction of humans into what was once their natural habitat. To think otherwise is ludicrous.
There is an old maxim involving sharks that is applicable here. If you happen to go on vacation to a location where sharks are commonplace and decide to go swimming in the ocean, do you blame the shark for confusing you for something other than a human, or do you take responsibility for the fact that you knew the risks before entering the water? The truth is, the shark doesn’t know that you’re on vacation and that you would prefer not to be confused for something that it might commonly prey upon. It’s instincts dictate its actions, and that is something that we will never be able to change.
So if you do decide to go into the water, do you educate yourself before hand, or do you go in blind and arrogantly believe that you are above being attacked simply because you’re a person? The fact is, the shark doesn’t care what you think, you’re in his neck of the woods, and therefore the rules are entirely different.
That example can be applied to any creature in the wild, even those whose habitat has been encroached upon by humans. In short; just because we have opposable thumbs and possess the ability to make bad horror flicks doesn’t make our arrogance defensible.
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August 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
That map is way too close to home.
p.s. it’s starting to piss me off when I hear people in my hood saying we have invaded their territory. Why the F did the buy a house here then? Move, then.
August 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Oh speaking of sharks, I recently heard that they are human protectors and they confuse us for fish.. I often wonder how much truth their is in that… How do they know what human’s are?
August 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
[quote comment="61115"]Oh speaking of sharks, I recently heard that they are human protectors and they confuse us for fish.. I often wonder how much truth their is in that… How do they know what human’s are?[/quote]
I’ve heard that–visually at least, and from below–we usually resemble large fish, sea turtles, or seals when we swim. Mr & Mrs Shark, out cruising for some take out, do what comes naturally when they see what they think is a tasty treat.
Particularly when people wear wetsuits, or camo swimwear. It’s like putting BBQ sauce on.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
I don’t know about sharks, but definitely dolphins routinely sacrifice themselves to save humans in trouble.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
That’s something I find really aggravating. A woman can go jogging in the woods, invading upon wild animals territory, and get mauled, unfortunately, but you have to consider that probability. People then go about looking to shoot the animal and kill it for doing what comes naturally to them. You not only kill another great animal, but possibly kill any cubs it may have had as well, considering they are now without their parent.
Humans are so arrogant, thinking they own this planet, when in reality we share it, and we are not above them, or superior to them. We have no right to act that way either.
We need to get off our pedestals. Criminals can commit atrocious crimes and yet still get a trial when it’s obvious they murder without any remorse. They take human lives and yet still dont get punished without a FAIR trial, and after that they are merely sent to prisons.
A dog can bite you, leave a small mark that will heal within a few days or weeks, and imediately be put down. Where’s the fairness there?
Animals dont deserve the sort of treatment many people give them.
And if you go out in the woods, get attacked…dont blame the animal, blame yourself.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Let bears pay the bear tax. I pay the Homer tax.
August 9th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Are you referring to the lady that was attacked in BC? That was in her backyard.
All the bears in my town that were found in backyards or roads were, for the most part, put down.
Animals are animals. We can’t change their behaviour.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
[quote comment="61114"]That map is way too close to home.
p.s. it’s starting to piss me off when I hear people in my hood saying we have invaded their territory. Why the F did the buy a house here then? Move, then.[/quote]
My feelings exactly; Bears have been in the Yukon long before Smart got here - you are therefore a guest, so mind your manners when you are around. Same goes for the rest of the place - if you want to live here and play out in the wilds then have enough respect for it all to know and understand what you are doing, where you are doing it, and what to do if everything goes to shit. I think that is pretty much what Darwin said but he did not use the word “shit”.
p.s. interesting piece on CBC New North this morning with a guy from Haines Junction who lived to tell about a recent grizzly attack and has his dog Charlie to thank for it; “I have been patting him and telling him he’s a good dog a lot more lately”{.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Sure, but it’s irritating when people saying they should never have built on Westwood Plateau or anywhere there are bears. Get your head outa the clouds, and realize that life isn’t fair for humans’ OR bears.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
oops, sorry wasn’t talking directly at you…. meant people need to realize that construction will always happen.. contractors need to put food on the table. and land needs to be developed.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
There’s a Steven Colbert joke in here somewhere…
August 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Who dat?
August 9th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
[quote comment="61121"]Let bears pay the bear tax. I pay the Homer tax.[/quote]
“That’s the home owners tax”
“Well, anyway, I’m still outraged.”
August 9th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
[quote comment="61122"]Are you referring to the lady that was attacked in BC? That was in her backyard.
All the bears in my town that were found in backyards or roads were, for the most part, put down.
Animals are animals. We can’t change their behaviour.[/quote]
She was attacked on her front lawn.
August 9th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
[quote comment="61127"]Who dat?[/quote]
Who? Stephen Colbert?
Front lawn, my bad.
August 9th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
I saw this about a month ago, and was on the edge of my seat. The entire story will be aired again soon due to the demand by viewers.
Living with Bears, Playing by His Own Rules
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/Story?id=5288312&page=1
August 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
If you move out to the woods today
You’re sure of a big surprise.
If you move out to the woods today
You’d better go in disguise.
August 9th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
That’s one thing I’ve gotta give to my home “state” of Long Island; there’s millions of us crammed onto it, but we go to great lengths to preserve land and protect wildlife. And we have incredibly strict zoning laws to help protect our very precious ecosystem here. It’s a stark contrast to the urban sprawl occuring in the Toronto area, which is where I’m moving. It blows my mind how they just cram as many houses as they can anywhere with seemingly no regard to the surrounding environment. The only wildlife I’ve seen up there are endless amounts of pigeons and squirrels.
August 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
The story about you saving the coyote from choking warmed my heart.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
It’s funny how so many people seem to believe if you build a house with modern plumbing, add a big screen tv, and do some landscaping, all that dangerous wildlife that previously called the area home should just know to move away. And all the not so harmless wildlife, such as birds and rabbits and squirrels, is just a wonder of nature on display.
How unfair, the blindness of it, the easy denial of how our decisions to “develop” land impacts absolutely everything and everyone in it. It seems to me as long as we don’t see the bears and wolves and cougars and other big predators misplaced, they just don’t exist. And every once in a while, when one makes itself known, through confusion or desperation or chance, it is the perfect opportunity for panic and misjudgment.
Of course there in lies the tragedy, the “greater” species, that one with those opposable thumbs has the ability of thought process and of reasoning and of problem solving, whether or not to kill the supposed threat. When it is an animal that attacks or kills, that is a case of pure instinct and reaction. When it is a human within their right mind, it is nothing more than choice. And more often than not, I feel it was not the right one.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
[quote comment="61121"]Let bears pay the bear tax. I pay the Homer tax.[/quote]
I got a good laugh out of that one. I miss the glory days of The Simpsons.
[quote comment="61126"]There’s a Steven Colbert joke in here somewhere…[/quote]
I certainly think he’d be a strong advocate for a napalm-based retaliation on bearkind. They are, after all, godless killing machines.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
[quote comment="61135"]It’s funny how so many people seem to believe if you build a house with modern plumbing, add a big screen tv, and do some landscaping, all that dangerous wildlife that previously called the area home should just know to move away. And all the not so harmless wildlife, such as birds and rabbits and squirrels, is just a wonder of nature on display.
[/quote]
Totally agree. Every day I’m bear aware, when I walk around here. The fact they had to kill 2 bears the other day is not something to be proud of, knowing they were here first. I know it sounds like I’m going back on my word, but I’m not. It’s just really shitty that we can’t live with the bears… In my perfect world, they would pass by, and we’d admire them then snap their pic. They are beautiful creatures. If only the bear just passed the lady and kept on walking. But I guess bears have personalities, too.. Some are more aggressive than others.
Hey Matt, since you were here last, they have built another IGA and even a 7 Eleven!!!!! Oh my!!!!!!
Yes, sorry to hear you had to see a coyote get hit by a car. That is very hard to see that to any kind of animal or person. I road right over a coyote last year going 1 hundy.. I felt it go under our vehicle and the bumpage was so loud I almost puked; then I saw it go under the car behind me. You just don’t get over that stuff.
August 9th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
[quote comment="61126"]There’s a Steven Colbert joke in here somewhere…[/quote]
Now Canada’s number 1 threat too.
August 9th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Sigh.
I get frustrated about things like this. I hate how many people think they’re better than every other living thing.
I loved the coyote story. How people react in situations like that really portrays what kind of person they are. Good for you, Matt.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Quoting Matt:
“So if you do decide to go into the water, do you educate yourself before hand, or do you go in blind and arrogantly believe that you are above being attacked simply because you’re a person? The fact is, the shark doesn’t care what you think, you’re in his neck of the woods, and therefore the rules are entirely different.
That example can be applied to any creature in the wild, even those whose habitat has been encroached upon by humans.”
This is true even when people think they own/live with “domesticated” animals. My boyfriend told me a story about a girl that he works with who owned a python.
Girl owns python, girl treats python like a cat, allowing it to roam the house and sleep with her in her bed (creepy). One day Girl notices that python refuses to eat. Girl also notes strange behaviour of python in bed, such as it straightening out beside her, then curling up for the usual sleeping. Girl takes starving python to Vet, shares the details, and Vet tells her that he cannot allow her to take the snake home. Why??? Because it’s preparing to EAT her. It’s starving itself in prep for a “large meal”, and it was measuring its body against hers to see how well she’d fit inside.
It is insanity to believe that if we impose human expectations on animals that we’ll get anything less than a behaviour/reaction propelled by instinct. They need to be respected and understood on their terms, by all means.
Next they’ll come up with a “humane” relocation ploy. Let’s just move the bears away from the humans, that’ll solve the problem.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Really well written. Nice Ted Nugent reference. And that coyote story is unbelievable… I’m completely impressed (and don’t think you were “crazy”).
It’s disgraceful when animals end up getting killed simply because it’s more convenient to humans that way. The fact that we’re encroaching on their habitat means nothing to most people, because we’re seen as having dominion over the entire earth and all its inhabitants… any animals or natural spaces that continue to exist do so only because we allow them to. Bears be warned. Sharks, too.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
[quote comment="61141"] Let’s just move the bears away from the humans, that’ll solve the problem.[/quote]
Actually it will solve the problem for both us and the bears. Westwood Plateau and other well developed areas is no place for the bears anymore. In my opinion they need to be removed. They clearly aren’t having any fun in these parts. So, why they haven’t removed them (for their own benefit) is the question of the day.
August 9th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
[quote comment="61125"]oops, sorry wasn’t talking directly at you…. meant people need to realize that construction will always happen.. contractors need to put food on the table. and land needs to be developed.[/quote]
100% agreed on that one.
Yet there are a lot of backward-thinking ideas associated with it. Construction will inevitably happen, but the concept of ‘deveopment’ is up for discussion. The current pattern in which we develop our communities is rooted in old thinking (think post-wwII) that does not take into consideration the vast expansion of the human population.
Now, if we were to be smart about it re:smartgrowth, we’d realize that spreading out instead of spreading up is a better idea and living smaller WITHIN your means in a community is better than deciding to take land out of the ALR just becuase it is good development land and hell it will get somebody more $$$. Currenlty our idea of ‘development’ is more harmful that good and we need a more intelligent way of tackling an expanding population while creating a more sustainable future (sorry but recycling is kids stuff, only doing that is like doing nothing at all). What we are doing is creating communities that in fact are NOT conducive for living but for only sleeping in while one has to drive/commute an hour or more to work.
ahhhh, i obviously could go on for a while on this but instead will suggest people check out http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/ i am not suggesting that you take it all in, but it is a good way to start looking into a more sustainable way of development.
So yes, I grew up and live in an area where I can STILL hear the bear outside my bedroom window at night. Where the neighbours keep on eye on the neighbourhood kids because of a bear, bear cub or coyote sighting, where we have to physically get out of the house and approach the deer in our yard to prevent them from eating our food, yet most people here have the sense that these animals have just as much right to be there than what we do. that people will go out of their way to make their properties less desirable for animals (which admittely for deer it is harder said than done). I cannot remember the last time I heard of a bear being shot where I live, we usually just stop, turn the other way and head on back where we came from.
If you were to ask me now though, what i thought of initially developing land where I live, i would say it is not the best thing in the world. Instead of growing outward, such as urban sprawl is, perhaps we look into different ideas of living. Repairing older homes, building UP and not out, living in smaller spaces… maybe I am just a perpetual dreamer, but in order for us to live equally with each other (humans and animals) and not taking more than what we need, we have to start looking at things differently.
Sorry, i went on a tangent but
August 9th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
[quote comment="61145"]Now, if we were to be smart about it re:smartgrowth, we’d realize that spreading out instead of spreading up is a better idea [/quote]
damn this no editing function. I meant to say that “we’d realize that spreading UP instead of spreading OUT is better idea…”
that, and my horrific grammatical and spelling errors need props.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
It always enrages me to hear yuppies talking about animals such as bears or cougars which have been spotted in ‘their community’; they then find their selves in conversation about how to deal with the ‘problem’. The decision to terminate the animal is a common one, “I think we should kill it; I, my children, my pets, and my property are in potential danger, and I don’t want to take any chances.”
… Or we could always take the animal away from its natural habitat and rehabilitate it in a new habitat! – like on some patch of land saved by ‘environmental’ [corporate *cough*] organizations because of our yearly donations – That way we could get them out of our way, feel like we helped them, and at the same time go on with our destructive and devastating lifestyles…
Well I’ve got a better idea, how about we kill off the human species and then we’ll have nothing to worry about! Ok, maybe that’s going a little far, but we NEED to at least pull our head out of our asses long enough to realize that WE are the problem!
I also want to reinstate the FACT that human beings are animals as well. We talk about ‘animals’ like they’re some savage and unintellectual category of beings when in fact we are in that same category of beings. So this is where I being the talk about relating to our fellow beings; taking it from the perspective of ‘if it happened to you’. How would you feel if someone decided, for whatever reason, to rehabilitate you into a place you were unfamiliar with and certainly unprepared to go to? Or what if we decided instead just to kill you?
“In short; just because we have opposable thumbs and possess the ability to make bad horror flicks doesn’t make our arrogance defensible.”
Great ending! However having opposable thumbs isn’t something unique to humans; let’s not forget about some of our primate friends — you know the ones we use in vivisection labs — which too possess opposable thumbs.
It’s about fucking time that our species got over this outrageous idea that the Earth and all its inhabitants belong to us; step away from this absurd idea that the planet was ‘created’ for us and that everything else was ‘created’ for our use and benefit. The world owes us nothing, but we owe everything to the world.
“We are not the only species on the planet, we just act like it.”
August 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Apparently the Conservation Officer Service has received more than 2,300 calls since April about threatening wildlife in Metro Vancouver most of which would have been bears. Every year Conservation officers kill about 700 ‘problem’ bears in B.C.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Great post, in many ways.
I read somewhere a few days ago that approximately 700 bears are killed in BC each year because they get too close to human territory…I hope that was a mistake. Wow.
August 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
One of my friends, a former RCMP officer that spent most of his career in the Yukon told me this story the other day related to bears. He routinely had to stop and tell tourists to get back in their vehicles or at least be within arms reach when bears, particularly grizzlies were feeding on grasses and flowers on the side of the highway (I have seen this a lot myself - 30 feet from the sow and cub - 30 feet from the car - guess who will win that race). On one occasion he was told by one tourist that “It’s OK I am a professional photographer and I take wildlife photos all the time”. My friend took out his pad and said out loud so the guy could hear him “Black shirt, khaki pants, wristwatch on left wrist…excuse me sir but what size are your shoes?”
Why are you asking?
“Because when that mother grizzly takes exception to you moving closer to her and her cub your clothing - or what is left of it will be how I identify your body”
August 9th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Monkey: I read that too on the CBC website. I would be really surprised if they had to destroy that many. In the Yukon as an example, there are about 10,000 black bears and maybe 7000 grizzly bears. Assuming that BC is not much different killing 700 out of a population of 10,000 every year seems improbable. Responding to 700 bear calls per year - I could believe that. Things are a little differnt up here though - a fraction of the RCMP officers and as far as Conservation Officers you have about 16 of them covering 483,000 sq. kilometrres so I think a lot of these situations are handled by the public and not reported.
A very interesting lady from Red Deer College, Sandra MacDougall, specializes in Human-bear encounters. I think they have some information on the college website related to her work. When I saw her speak recently I was surprised at how miniscule the numbers of serious encounters really are - most of the time you just see the bears ass running the other direction in the woods. The types of serious encounters in Coquitlam, and what may be predatory vs. defensive encounters are very rare - but so sensationalized by the media that the public takes these as commonplace occurrences.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
So, where is it that you suggest they remove the bears to? And what happens when people expand into that area? Put the bears on a truck and move them again? You see where that logic goes, don’t you?
Eventually we have to figure out a way to live in this world without continuing to destroy everything. At the world’s current population growth, people will be standing shoulder to shoulder on every habitable piece of land sometime before the year 2500. It’s simply not sustainable.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
In Calgary a few weeks ago a Moose was found wandering through the suburbs, I’m not sure where…anyways, the animal got scared and ended up on some busy intersection where he was shot down because he could potentially harm people in traffic. I think that if they had the resources to shoot the animal down, they had the resources to tranquilize the animal and make a different decision.
Animals are disposable creatures. It’s not just in our culture, it’s everywhere.
Two great documentaries - The Grizzly Man and Sharkwater (I believe that’s what it’s called,) you can find them in the documentary section of Rogers or Blockbuster.
It sickens me to my core that we would abhor nature in our own backyards.
Yes, unfortunately this woman was mauled in her front yard or whatever…but, seriously, TIm McLean just got decapitated a few weeks ago on a Greyhound bus for no apparent reason either…shit fucking happens and people just need to realize that often, it’s a sign of the times that change needs to be implemented in some way in certain circumstances. If these things didn’t happen, we would never find a need to change or make things better…
I, honestly, think people are completely disgusting when it comes to animals and how they choose to treat them when it comes down to OUR own safety…heaven forbid the bear wants to eat. He’s migrating up north for hibernation in only a few months now, and they need to start stockpiling. We’ve encroach on their space, taken away their food resources, and moved on in with the expectation that they will be able to find alternative resources. We don’t plan ahead for them, and so therefore, I believe, we kind of deserve what they serve us.
It kind of reminds me of an article last year in Vancouver, where a woman bought into a new condominium on the lower east side and was appalled that she had to be near homeless people after the amount of money she paid for her new home…because she didn’t look into her backyard before she bought the property and felt that the homeless people should be removed or leave the area.
It’s all the same shit, different pile, different day, same assholes.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Quoting Becca Steps: Two great documentaries - The Grizzly Man and Sharkwater (I believe that’s what it’s called,) you can find them in the documentary section of Rogers or Blockbuster.
Just my opinion OK, but the Grizzly Man guy (I think his name was Timothy Treadwell) is perhaps a good example of what not to do. I have to give the guy credit - he surely cared about the animals but I think he got too comfortable around them and perhaps forgot what they were capable of. While he was camping up in Alaska in a protected area he had his camp right on a game trail and in the woods - pretty much guaranteeing a bear would come by and perhaps stumble upon you. I was always taught to put your camp out in the open where they can smell, hear, see and AVOID you better. Mr Treadwell and his girlfriend were both fatally mauled by a grizzly bear that came into their camp - he first killed Mr. Treadwell and then came back later for his girlfriend. Pretty sad story.
August 9th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I live right on the border of Mass and New Hampshire. In fact, if I stand on my roof I can actually pee into N.H. but they’ve asked me to stop. We live only 25 miles north of boston, in a small farming community. We’ve twice had young moose come down our street, but thankfully Fish and Game was able to herd them back around and headed back north. I have a little black bear living about 150 meters from my house. One other neighbor knows about it. He’s always sneaking into my yard to rob the bird feeders., The bear; not my neighbor. There is plenty of food for this guy; but I bet he leaves this year and heads north looking for love.
I also own considerable raw land in Maine on which we camp. There are no buildings anywhere near. We see many bear up there; but these are the little 125-150 pound blackies who are very shy. They are a blast to watch in the spring. I can’t remember the last time, if ever, that a bear killed a human in Maine. I’m almost positive no one in Massachusetts has ever been killed. (Except when Chicago killed the Patriots in that Super Bowl)
I wish I had an answer; but I don’t. Locally, in Mass, you can donate woodland and farmland by putting it in trusts. I only have one child (Kathryn the Hun) and she is interested in Marine
Biology, so she says as long as she can still live in the front house, donate away! Can you do something like that in Northern Canada?
August 9th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Here is an incomplete list. Far fewer fatalities than I would have guessed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_bear_attacks_in_North_America_by_decade
Famous last words: ” Hey, look at the cute little bear cubs. I wonder where the mot……….”
August 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I was in Canmore once when a cougar walked right down the street…
Love your coyote story, Matt.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
I was pretty horrified to see that CBC felt the need to show the footage of the second bear actually being shot to death. It seemed rather gratuitous and unecessary.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
This is kinda sad how they keep expanding and not telling people how to coexist with the bears… I live in Whistler and I find it’s amazing how much I’ve learned about bears. Learning about their traits and how not to impede on their space any more than needed has given me a greater appreciation for the wildlife of my area
August 9th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Brian - I understand what your saying, but Timothy also went up there year after year and it’s surprising that he wasn’t mauled to death sooner, considering he chose the same campsite year after year. For some reason the year he was mauled he made two mistakes. One, he brought someone else with him…someone who was afraid of bears and he’d never brought someone with him before, and two, he stayed later than usual for some unknown reason and it was when the bears were migrating north for hibernation - new bears that he hadn’t been studying before were coming through that area, so they weren’t acquainted with him. Salmon runs in Alaska are changing and the bears up there are running out of resources forcing them to look for other means of food - at least that’s what I got out of it. It certainly was a pretty sad story, but he didn’t live his life in vain and he did state that if he was to be killed by a bear, he wouldn’t want it killed because he was the one choosing to be there. Unfortunately, they did kill the bear that killed him and his girlfriend. I think Timothy would have been upset by that. I just think that at least he embraced the fact that he was conscientious of his surroundings and did his homework - like Matt’s shark theory. He knew who’s terrain he was on.
August 9th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Animals deserve their space. That python story above reminds me of a cute story I once caught on the news.
ENJOY!!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/169536/python_pet/
August 10th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Becca: All good points. True that the salmon numbers are dwindling - they are not sure why - folks in the Yukon are blaming the lack of management of the fishery in Alaska - on several major rivers including the Yukon River they have suspended commercial fishing this year and many First Nations groups have decided to stop altogether for awhile. Some are blaming the pollock fishing off the coast of Alaska where they inadvertantly catch thousands of salmon and just toss them over the side. There is also evdience that a parasite of some kind may be having an effect. I know that we had a crappy blueberry season here, but by contrast a bumper crop of soapberries this year - and they flourish right around Whitehorse - so from what I’m told we will see more and more “in our backyards”.
If I am encouraged by anything it is that people seem to be looking for answers and trying to understand the bears better - I have attended a couple of lectures lately in Whitehorse and everyone I met seems to be there due to concern and not because of a morbid curiosity.
We are on a canoe trip from Whitehorse to Dawson City in a couple of weeks - the changes will be interesting
August 10th, 2008 at 7:41 am
[quote comment="61153"]
So, where is it that you suggest they remove the bears to? And what happens when people expand into that area? Put the bears on a truck and move them again?
You see where that logic goes, don’t you?
Eventually we have to figure out a way to live in this world without continuing to destroy everything. At the world’s current population growth, people will be standing shoulder to shoulder on every habitable piece of land sometime before the year 2500. It’s simply not sustainable.[/quote]
There are very under developed areas past Squamish that will probably never be touched.. They are clearly not having any fun here. They are bored!!! I think we could do them a huge favour by moving them closer to all their other buds who are doing fine near The Chief, or other parts further North. Yes, it sucks we moved in on them, but I guess someone saw this as a nice place to see the sun rise. I’m not sure..
August 10th, 2008 at 8:44 am
As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold. I’m not a cold person, I believe you should live and let live. But I guess I’m angry. The daycare they showed on the news is where my son went to preschool. The poor lady was just doing her gardening..Neighbours have been complaining about this bear for years. I feel bad they had to shoot it because if they removed it, perhaps it would still be alive today. I’m not happy at all they have to go around shooting the bears. NO matter what I say though, I’m stuck in a rock and a hard place, because I’m here and they were here first. There is no doubt about that.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I found a similar story a couple days ago; in Denver, involving a mountain lion.
Now, I feel badly for the dog that was killed. But… really? You live in mountain lion territory, and you sleep WITH YOUR DOORS OPEN? To then track down and kill the mountain lion for doing what comes naturally to it is ridiculous. They said they wanted to protect their neighbors from a mountain lion that “wasn’t afraid of people.” Well, it wasn’t afraid of people because you made yourself a part of its reality when you encroached on its territory.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:26 am
On a positive note I had an email waiting for me this morning and a like to this gentleman’s website. He captured a rare circumstance in New Hampshire where a mother black bear had 5 healthy cubs - the photo was takne in 2007 and from the email I received everyone made it through hibernation and he go another picture of the mother and all 5 healthy yearlings just recently - 5 cubs making it through their first year is a miracle. Looks like he has not added the new picture yet.
http://www.digitalphotographics.us/album9.html
August 10th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Brian - Very Cool and his other pictures are amazing as well, especially liked the one of the Bow Whale.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:32 am
When I was in Alberta I learned two things about bears.
One was that when communing with the creatures of the forrest it is highly recommended to wear little jingly bells to let the bears know you’re coming. That way they have time to get away from you. It is also highly recommended that you carry pepper spray in case the bells fail.
The second thing I learned was how to tell the difference between black bear feces and grizzly bear feces. Black bear feces is loaded with berry and nut residues and has the occasionl remains of the odd small animal. Grizzly bear feces is loaded with jingly bell debris and smells like pepper.
August 10th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Download Attachment image001.jpg
Download Attachment image001.jpg
Dont know if this worked.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Tried to post a joke from my e- mail . I t was a pic of a sign that read….
Due to the frequency of human-bear encounters, the B. C. Fish and Wildlife Branch is advising hikers, fisherman, and any persons that use the outdoors in a recreational or work related funtion to take extra precaution while in the field.
We advise the outdoorsman to wear little noisey bells on clothing so to give advance warning to any bears that might be close by so you dont take them by suprise.
We also advise anyone using the out-of-doors to carry “Pepper Spray” with him in case of an encounter with a bear.
Outdoorsmen should also be on the watch for fresh bear activity,and be able to tell the difference between black bear feces and grizzley bear feces. Black bear feces is smaller and contains alot of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzley bear shit has bells in it and smells like pepper.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
D lilly just saw you posted the same joke. Should have read the recent posts first. My bad. Good joke though.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I know it’s not an idea that will ever fly, but how about we stop breeding for a while? Say a few years? Not only are we encroaching on wildlife, but think of the economic aspects of supply and demand as well. China found out all too well what human overpopulation does, but by the time they decided to do anything about it it was too late and in many cases abusive to people’s rights. Most people would never dream of this idea, even though it’s obvious that our species routinely takes more than it needs and gives little back, on a large and rapidly expanding scale.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
[quote comment="61154"]In Calgary a few weeks ago a Moose was found wandering through the suburbs, I’m not sure where…anyways, the animal got scared and ended up on some busy intersection where he was shot down because he could potentially harm people in traffic. I think that if they had the resources to shoot the animal down, they had the resources to tranquilize the animal and make a different decision.
Animals are disposable creatures. It’s not just in our culture, it’s everywhere.
Two great documentaries - The Grizzly Man and Sharkwater (I believe that’s what it’s called,) you can find them in the documentary section of Rogers or Blockbuster.
It sickens me to my core that we would abhor nature in our own backyards.
Yes, unfortunately this woman was mauled in her front yard or whatever…but, seriously, TIm McLean just got decapitated a few weeks ago on a Greyhound bus for no apparent reason either…shit fucking happens and people just need to realize that often, it’s a sign of the times that change needs to be implemented in some way in certain circumstances. If these things didn’t happen, we would never find a need to change or make things better…
I, honestly, think people are completely disgusting when it comes to animals and how they choose to treat them when it comes down to OUR own safety…heaven forbid the bear wants to eat. He’s migrating up north for hibernation in only a few months now, and they need to start stockpiling. We’ve encroach on their space, taken away their food resources, and moved on in with the expectation that they will be able to find alternative resources. We don’t plan ahead for them, and so therefore, I believe, we kind of deserve what they serve us.
It kind of reminds me of an article last year in Vancouver, where a woman bought into a new condominium on the lower east side and was appalled that she had to be near homeless people after the amount of money she paid for her new home…because she didn’t look into her backyard before she bought the property and felt that the homeless people should be removed or leave the area.
It’s all the same shit, different pile, different day, same assholes.[/quote]
The moose ended up on Deerfoot Trail. Apparently what happened was that they tried to tranquilize it, but realized that there were too many people in the way or some shit like that so they decided to shoot it instead.
Oh yes, that makes perfect sense…
August 10th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
[quote comment="61144"][quote comment="61141"] Let’s just move the bears away from the humans, that’ll solve the problem.[/quote]
Actually it will solve the problem for both us and the bears. Westwood Plateau and other well developed areas is no place for the bears anymore. In my opinion they need to be removed. They clearly aren’t having any fun in these parts. So, why they haven’t removed them (for their own benefit) is the question of the day.[/quote]
The Bears are holding out for more money.
August 10th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
[quote comment="61192"]I know it’s not an idea that will ever fly, but how about we stop breeding for a while? Say a few years? Not only are we encroaching on wildlife, but think of the economic aspects of supply and demand as well. China found out all too well what human overpopulation does, but by the time they decided to do anything about it it was too late and in many cases abusive to people’s rights. Most people would never dream of this idea, even though it’s obvious that our species routinely takes more than it needs and gives little back, on a large and rapidly expanding scale.[/quote]
Less than 2 kids per family are being born these days. I believe the number 4 years ago was 1.27 is the average. Wierd number.
Anyhow, would be interesting to see how life is in 20-30 years.
For economy reasons it’s better to have kids (apparently)..
Right we’re talking about bears..
as this day progresses, I can’t help but wonder what developers were thinking while building in wooded areas where bears stopped by……………. did they think ‘oh, they will go away’ or what? ‘i’m sure we could live iwth them’
August 10th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I stopped breeding 18 years ago. I’m doing my part!!
August 10th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
me too.
Dan, where ya been, holy crap!
August 10th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
[quote comment="61198"]I stopped breeding 18 years ago. I’m doing my part!![/quote]
Ya me too Dan - very soon after the twins were born 10 years ago. Now I’m just like one of those old battleships that they decommission: remove your firing pins, fill the barrels up with cement, and chain you to the dock to live out the rest of your days as a tourist attraction.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
[quote comment="61176"]As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold[/quote]
No, not cold, just sadly ignorant as too many humans with an inflated view of their importance usually are. Obviously by your avatar you’re a doting mom who probably feels you and your family are entitled to everything and the world owes it to you, so carve it up and throw it away. Why should a conscience get in your way, it’s clear you lack one in the first place.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
[quote comment="61203"][quote comment="61176"]As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold[/quote]
No, not cold, just sadly ignorant as too many humans with an inflated view of their importance usually are. Obviously by your avatar you’re a doting mom who probably feels you and your family are entitled to everything and the world owes it to you, so carve it up and throw it away. Why should a conscience get in your way, it’s clear you lack one in the first place.[/quote]
Actually I took her opinion as just that - an opinion and not a childish personal attack which is what you’re doing. I guess you are expecting points because “avatar” is in your vocabulary - look up “pedantic” - that is one you should make yourself familiar with.
August 10th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Brian - You are a wealth of ideas and info…thanks for the new word…I deal with lots of these people on a continual basis (my family is full of academics). LOL
How do you pronounce it? (pea-dant) or (puh-dant)?? Then I can get all pedantic on their asses :)
August 10th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
[quote comment="61204"][quote comment="61203"][quote comment="61176"]As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold[/quote]
No, not cold, just sadly ignorant as too many humans with an inflated view of their importance usually are. Obviously by your avatar you’re a doting mom who probably feels you and your family are entitled to everything and the world owes it to you, so carve it up and throw it away. Why should a conscience get in your way, it’s clear you lack one in the first place.[/quote]
Actually I took her opinion as just that - an opinion and not a childish personal attack which is what you’re doing. I guess you are expecting points because “avatar” is in your vocabulary - look up “pedantic” - that is one you should make yourself familiar with.[/quote]
Agreed. Although I may not agree with all of T-Lee’s posts, I can completely understand where she is coming from. Imagewrangler seems to fully support bears who defend their cubs, yet oddly enough is offended by human parents wish to do the same for their children. T-Lee, there’s a lot of reasons why moving the bears wouldn’t really work (the sheer number that would need to be moved, the limited food sources of where ever we which to move them, etc.). Imagewrangler, before throwing around words like “ignorance” and “conscience”, make sure that your own post doesn’t violate the very things you argue against.
August 10th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
I just got back from camping and need to get settled before I can comment on this subject…bears. It’s interesting to read what people wrote about it.
August 10th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
[quote comment="61203"][quote comment="61176"]As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold[/quote]
No, not cold, just sadly ignorant as too many humans with an inflated view of their importance usually are. Obviously by your avatar you’re a doting mom who probably feels you and your family are entitled to everything and the world owes it to you, so carve it up and throw it away. Why should a conscience get in your way, it’s clear you lack one in the first place.[/quote]
You don’t know me but those who do on the site and in real life, know I have the biggest conscience, and I don’t believe the world owes me a thing, I never said that. It was shitty the bear(s) got shot, I will struggle with that for a long time. Everytime they shoot a bear, I analyze it to death. Could it have been avoided and so forth. Inflated view of importance? What makes people become that when they become a parent?
Are you a parent? Is so, perhaps you are just a different kind of parent who has no fear for their child (and for that, I would commend you, because my fears are what will always keep me from being borderline agoraphobic). If not, you need to wait until you have one, then things will change. And with the sleepless nights, you will stay stupid things as I realize I’ve said a few today.
Nothingman, I realized afterwards how ridiculous it sounded me thinking they should remove the bears. They really were here first and I do respect that.. 2 bears killed in my area this week has made me a little dilirious..
From this point forward I will shut up and read. (and be bear aware).
August 10th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
[quote comment="61204"][quote comment="61203"][quote comment="61176"]As I re-read all my posts, I realize I sound very cold[/quote]
No, not cold, just sadly ignorant as too many humans with an inflated view of their importance usually are. Obviously by your avatar you’re a doting mom who probably feels you and your family are entitled to everything and the world owes it to you, so carve it up and throw it away. Why should a conscience get in your way, it’s clear you lack one in the first place.[/quote]
Actually I took her opinion as just that - an opinion and not a childish personal attack which is what you’re doing. I guess you are expecting points because “avatar” is in your vocabulary - look up “pedantic” - that is one you should make yourself familiar with.[/quote]
Thank you, I think I need to go away; another 15 posts in the first 45. gasp!!!! oops, my bad?
August 10th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
ok Finally unpacked.
So, for the past week or so, we have had some bears killed around the Coquitlam area. If you have grown up in the Lower Mainland like I have, you have seen the growth in population and in the construction of housing to accomodate that growth. The bears were there first, and I dont really agree with housing going up the side of the mountains like it has, but people do have to live somewhere. Where there are people and bears, you will get bear-people conflicts. Unfortunately, alot of them can be avoided, but are not. Careless people leave their trash out early, dont pick the fruit off the trees, etc… Most bears are opportunists and are lazy. I dont think the berry season was great this year or it was late. As a result of that, you are seeing more bears coming down the mountains searching for food. I believe people that live near bear habitat need to be educated about bears and bear safety. All it takes is one bear to have a taste of someone’s garbage, and it will keep coming back. They dont have good eye sight, but they have one hell of a nose. All situations/ encounters with bears are different. It can be a lone young male thats predatoria and will attack when given the chancel. You can have a mother with cubs. You can be walking on a path near a school and not know that a bear is there, but he heard you coming and took off and you never even knew it was there. Or you can be walking on a path or sidewalk and surpise a bear by accident and then he attacks. All encounters are different. People have to know with black bears, that if they attack, you fight like crazy. If he doesn’t leave, play dead and wrap your hands around you face ina fetal position.
I’m not sure if this helps. I just got back from camping and haven’t had a chance to really read everyone’s post. I’m no expert, but I have educated myself about bears. And for that, I am comfortable with myself if I encounter one.
As for the parents out there, educate your kids, tell them what to do if they see one (walk calmly away facing the bear, but not looking at it in the eye, talk calmly, dont run as it will think of them as food), get them to carry a loud whistle, clap their hands around areas that have alot of bushes.
August 10th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
T-Lee - You really don’t need to explain yourself here. I don’t know you, but I do read your posts everyday and I don’t think you have anything to feel ashamed of or anything that needs to be explained to us or anyone else. For those of us who are here everyday, sometimes all day, we understand you. Sometimes I say things and when I re-read my posts in retrospect, I’m like “What the F was I thinking…,” but I think for the most part, the “usuals” understand what we’re trying to say.
August 10th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Are people FUCKING MORONS? I just went outside to scope out the sitch and there are garbage cans out already. OH MY FUCKING GOD, I COULD STRANGLE SOMEONE. These are people who don’t ride the loser cruiser who don’t give a shit about the stupids walking to the bus stop in the mornings. I’m making signs and hanging them up in our clubhouse tomorow. JESUS! These are the people who leave at 6am, BEFORE THE TRUCK ARRIVES, but don’t want to get their suits all dirty by carrying out the garbage when they leave in the morning. My poor husband, he takes the bus and puts our garbage out when he’s leaving. With global warming, is it true during winter they may still be around? I heard this recently. I worry for him leaving when it’s pitch dark during the winter months.
‘Bebareaware’ THANKS FOR THAT!!!! My son has a Thomas whistle, I knew was good for something. Is one of those body alarms a good idea, too?. The one with the pin and you pull it out if you’re in danger?
Becca, Thank you!!! Although, I don’t work enough and have way too much time on my hands. lol.. 1 more year and I’m going full time reg…
August 10th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
T-Lee, I’m not sure if you had a look at this, the City of Coquitlam has a link on their website regarding bears. Check it out if you haven’t already.
http://www.coquitlam.ca/Residents/Public Safety/Bear Aware Coquitlam.htm
If you are concerned, contact them and they may be able to help. I don’t know how involve the bylaw officers are for that city, but they may have a snitch line for those that put their garbage out early, etc…
Just a thought. You can never know too much about this stuff, especially those that live so close to bears. The whistle should be fine for your son. Anything loud that would scare a bear works. I would normally suggest a bear banger or flares, but the kids might be too young for bear bangers and you could start a forest fire with the flares.
August 11th, 2008 at 5:31 am
Okay, clearly this seems to be at least somewhat of an ongoing problem in this area. So, why can’t the authorities become better prepared to deal with it (in a way other than shooting the bear, who is just doing its bear thing)? Surely most people would agree that is not the ideal ending to the situation (although I’m sure the Ted Nugents of the Greater Vancouver area are all for the authorities playing shoot-em-up with the creatures… or maybe they’d prefer the bear be released for local residents to have a go at). Anyway, when a bear is found in residential areas (or in an actual home), why can they not tranquilize the bear and move it safely away? Why is death considered the only option?
August 11th, 2008 at 7:14 am
A fed bear is a dead bear. I for one, would not like to see a bear killed. I love animals and hate seeing that happen. When they come into towns or cities looking for food usually because of a bad berry season, and find it, they will stick around or come back for more. Even if a bear is trapped and brought somewhere else far away, they will return. Not all the time, but most times. Thats why you have to know and understand bears better to prevent an attack from happening in the first place. Once an attack occurs, the bear is usually killed. If they find a food source easy, they will return. You can’t put blame on the conservation officers, as I know they would not like to kill them, but they have no choice. There’s not enough officers to look after everything. I have a friend that is a CO and it’s usually the people that are the cause of the human-bear conflicts. Also, there isn’t enough sanctuaries to take in problem bears. The cost is too high and governments want to put the money elsewhere. Hope this helps or answers your question.
August 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am
That python story really make the hair stand up on the back of my neck. (And almost made the bagel come right out of my mouth).
August 11th, 2008 at 8:00 am
“made” that is - not make….geesh - need more coffee……
August 11th, 2008 at 8:54 am
If anyone is interested this is from the Yukon Territorial Government/Environment website on being “Bear Aware” (not to be confused with our friend on here - bebearaware).
http://www.environmentyukon.gov.yk.ca/camping/bearaware.php
One of the things that was brought up here was tranquilizing and re-locating the bears. Typically this is not done by RCMP and certainly not by municipal law enforcement - our bears range from 100lb black bears up to 800lb grizzly bears so getting the dosage right is not easy and too much can kill them - too little can kill you. As for relocating them - well - I’m not sure that is always seen as an option since it can be expensive and where exactly to you drop them off? I’m reminded though of my friend Andy who used to have a terrible time with racoons at his home near Bracebridge ON - he tried trapping them and that did not work and also tried shooting them but in his own words “for every one that I shot - 6 would come to the funeral and then stay”. Whether you shoot them or remove them, all that you have done is create a vacancy for another bear in an attactive and plentiful food environment - some bear will always be waiting in line. Controlling garbage and compost and making visits to the neighborhood as unpleasant for them as possbile is the only way.
August 11th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Another link on a story about a guy from Haines Junction (near Whitehorse) who undoubedly owes his life to his dog:
http://whitehorsestar.com/archive/story/sow-grizzly-bit-foot-of-treed-jogger/
August 11th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Umm front lawn or supermarket.. lest we forget that we have taken THEIR homes… right? They don’t deserve to die for that…
August 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
[quote comment="61239"]
One of the things that was brought up here was tranquilizing and re-locating the bears. Typically this is not done by RCMP and certainly not by municipal law enforcement - our bears range from 100lb black bears up to 800lb grizzly bears so getting the dosage right is not easy and too much can kill them - too little can kill you. As for relocating them - well - I’m not sure that is always seen as an option since it can be expensive and where exactly to you drop them off? I’m reminded though of my friend Andy who used to have a terrible time with racoons at his home near Bracebridge ON - he tried trapping them and that did not work and also tried shooting them but in his own words “for every one that I shot - 6 would come to the funeral and then stay”. Whether you shoot them or remove them, all that you have done is create a vacancy for another bear in an attactive and plentiful food environment - some bear will always be waiting in line. Controlling garbage and compost and making visits to the neighborhood as unpleasant for them as possbile is the only way.[/quote]
I know, what you’re saying makes sense… I just hate the idea of bears being given death sentences simply because they’re a nuisance to humans. (I mean, I run a catch-and-release relocation program for spider invaders in my house; I hate the damn things, but far be it from me to cut their little spider lives short when they can easily just go live outside in my flower pot instead.) Okay, I don’t mean to be glib; it’s a complicated problem, and a frustrating one for animal lovers. It’s also one I guess I don’t fully understand, living where I do, because I still remember the one time a black bear lumbered through a populated area of Moncton, and that was six years ago. (They waited it out, tranquilizers and rifles ready, on the university campus next to the soccer field; it eventually scampered back where it came from.)
August 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
KET: Totally agree with you; the last thing I want is for somebody to have to shoot the bears - I dont always agree with that solution either although I was trying to convey that the options are, sadly, limited once we have done the usual “ounce of prevention - pound of cure” thing that we do so well. I think the nuisance bears are generally put up with - but it’s when they show no fear of humans, become bold and aggressive, that this “precaution” is taken. As an example, in the video that i saw there are at least 4 RCMP officers, two of which have sidearms only and it looked like one or two others partially obscured - the ones that did the shooting - at least one of them appeared to have a shotgun.. Imagine that very same bear if you happened to walk into your backyard after work one afternoon and there he is and he’s intent on attacking you.
August 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
[quote comment="61196"][quote comment="61192"]I know it’s not an idea that will ever fly, but how about we stop breeding for a while? Say a few years? Not only are we encroaching on wildlife, but think of the economic aspects of supply and demand as well. China found out all too well what human overpopulation does, but by the time they decided to do anything about it it was too late and in many cases abusive to people’s rights. Most people would never dream of this idea, even though it’s obvious that our species routinely takes more than it needs and gives little back, on a large and rapidly expanding scale.[/quote]
Less than 2 kids per family are being born these days. I believe the number 4 years ago was 1.27 is the average. Wierd number.
Anyhow, would be interesting to see how life is in 20-30 years.
For economy reasons it’s better to have kids (apparently)..
Right we’re talking about bears..
as this day progresses, I can’t help but wonder what developers were thinking while building in wooded areas where bears stopped by……………. did they think ‘oh, they will go away’ or what? ‘i’m sure we could live iwth them’[/quote]
That is a good point; kids are big business. Just look at all the advertising involved in children’s T.V. shows, for instance. Not to mention kids are exploited to sell just about anything. Advertising runs the world.
August 12th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Wow….I used to shop at the same IGA as Matt Good when I lived on Ioco Rd.
Do you think this is a sign?
I hope I didn’t ever hit him in the face with a can of beans like I did those other ppl.
August 12th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I’m a Poco girl and it’s crazy because poco is now being bombarded by condos!! Also, Burke Mountain is being developed now, and the area around Minnekhada. What’s with that, not only is it not good for our bears, it’s not good for our society, there are many reasons why, just think about it! We should really be respectful of nature because this cruelty will haunt humanity for the remainder of it’s precious fleeting moments.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:07 am
One of the people I work with is actively involved in wildlife conservation in Poco, and with bears in particular. He was telling us a story today of a time he was called in to help rescue a “problem bear”, which had been chased up a tree in it’s chosen neighbourhood, and then surrounded by police and gawkers. In the end, he and a few others just rearranged the crowd and police in such a way that rather than being surrouned, the bear had a clear path from his tree into the forest. Seeing the opportunity, the bear bolted, without the need for bullets, either real or tranquilizer-filled. Such a simple solution, and yet the only solution anyone had come up with until my coworker arrived on scene was to shoot it.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:15 am
[...] is a bear issue afoot it seems. Matt’s site has an interesting post on the the dilemma and as I watched the news this morning I couldn’t help but shake my head. [...]