More grizzly sightings may be possible due to thriving Squamish Valley grizzly bear population

The Conservation Officer Service (COS) has safely relocated a grizzly bear that was captured in Brackendale on the evening of September 27. The bear, a mature male between 20 and 30 years old and weighing approximately 700 pounds, was deemed to be in good health for his age, and so relocation back into the wild was a viable option.  

This is the second grizzly to have been sighted and captured this month in Squamish. The COS captured and relocated a grizzly bear that was seen foraging in the Garibaldi Estates neighbourhood on September 10. Since then, the COS received two separate reports of grizzly bear sightings in the Squamish area, one on September 21 in Paradise Valley, and a second on September 24 near the intersection of Government and Mamquam Road. Although both sightings were unconfirmed, it is believed to have been the same bear that most likely spent a few days within the community prior to its successful capture and relocation from Brackendale.

"It's not common to look outside your kitchen or living room windows and find a grizzly staring back at you, even in Squamish where wildlife activity can be high," says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. "What these sightings may be telling us is that it's time to take managing our attractants more seriously, and to report sightings right away to the Conservation Officer Service hotline to allow for early intervention. The District is reviewing its Wildlife Attractant Bylaw, but all of us must do our part now to keep these bears wild."

The recent grizzly sightings are an important reminder to the community that the Upper Squamish Valley is home to a population of approximately 59 grizzly bears. As their population thrives, future sightings can be expected. Increases in recreational activities within grizzly bear habitat, natural food availability and competition for food sources, along with non-natural food sources as a result of farming practices in the Valley and easy access to residential wildlife attractants, such as garbage and fruit trees, may factor into why these animals have been sighted in Squamish.  

"As the Squamish Valley grizzly bear population rebounds, we can expect to have more grizzly bear sightings in our community," says Conservation Officer Service Sergeant Simon Gravel. "It cannot be stressed enough that residents must manage their wildlife attractants. We must prevent the creation of human habituated and non-natural food conditioned grizzly and black bears. Please be mindful and do everything you can to ensure you are not attracting wildlife into your neighbourhood."

Fall is a busy period of time for bears as they try to consume as many calories as possible in preparation for winter denning. This busy period of eating is called hyperphagia, when bears are known to forage for up to 20 hours per day and will often travel large distances outside of their home range through rivers and train tracks on their quest for calories, accessing attractants along the way.

Managing residential wildlife attractants remains the most important action residents can take to prevent human-wildlife encounters and to ensure relocation remains successful. 

For Wildlife Attractant Bylaw concerns: 604.815.5067 or bylaw@squamish.ca

For wildlife sightings and/or encounters: 1.877.952.7277 (RAPP)  

For our list of bear smart practices to implement year-round, visit squamish.ca/bear-initiatives.

October 2, 2020