Thought of the Day - April 15 2021 - Dear Bear Area Resident

One of the greatest assets of our neighbourhood is how close we are to nature, both Burnaby Lake and Mountain. The proximity of these two reserves also means that the corridor that connects the two (between Stony Creek and Lake City) is a thoroughfare for wildlife.

Most of us have seen bears in the neighbourhood from time to time. Indeed, a few years ago, there was a bear in the tree at the cut-through to Seaforth.

I come across a bear every year or two jogging or walking around Burnaby Lake, and have come to the conclusion people have one of three types of reaction:

1. there are the folk who freak out; they either freeze and make weird moaning sounds, or they start to scream and run;

2. there are those that close in for a selfie;

3. finally, the folk who calmly back way and go an alternate route.

With the warmer weather people are coming out of hibernation. As COVID restrictions are limiting recreation and exercise options, many first-time hikers are tackling Burnaby Mountain trails or circumnavigating Burnaby Lake.

When I saw the letter from the City addressed to "Bear Area Resident - Important Safety Information" I was thinking that it would provide information about what to do when you encounter a bear. Information that is badly needed.

The only advice for a bear encounter that I could find in the enclosed documents was: Call the BC Conservation Officer so the City can better understand the bear activity.

It turns out that the memo is simply about garbage management. It is a shame that when the city sourced our bins, they did not have wildlife in mind. While 'bear-proof' is a tall order, 'bear-resistant' containers, such as those used in Coquitlam, with a simple latching lid, are what is needed. These improve the seal, and thus decrease odours, and also mean access to the contents is more of a challenge than just tipping over the bin.

Anyway, we can only hope that the inevitable bear encounters go well. The one piece of advice I give anyone who will listen is: keep your dog on a leash. Chasing squirrels may be fun for your dog, but a bear is a different matter. Bears are extremely tolerant, they put up with all kinds of stupidity but unfortunately, a bad encounter will mean that the bear will have the trauma of being relocated or, worse yet, put down. And another part of the natural ecosystem of the neighbourhood is lost.

Happy bear spotting.

Cheers

Cliff