Residents urged to take action to give Valleycliffe yearling best chance at survival
The District of Squamish and Conservation Officer Service are urging Valleycliffe residents to take extra steps in securing attractants, specifically garbage and organics totes, to protect the wellbeing of a yearling in the area. The yearling has recently been released from its family unit and is on its own for the first time.
A trap has been set in an effort to intervene early and to prevent this young bear from becoming garbage-conditioned and human habituated. This is an early intervention method that may give this bear its best chance of survival, however it's the responsibility of each resident to ensure there is no access to non-natural food, should this bear return or another bear fill its place.
How you can help:
· Store totes in a garage or shed;
· If your totes are stored outdoors, anchor them to prevent them from tipping;
· Reduce odours by freezing food scraps and store them in your freezer until collection day;
· Keep totes locked and secured until the morning of collection;
· Place totes curbside only on the morning of collection and never the night before;
· Rinse all recycling.
Once a bear has become food-conditioned and human habituated, there are limited options for its management. A tragic outcome can be avoided if the community does their part.
If you have a broken or damaged tote please contact GFL for a repair or replacement by calling 604.892.5604 or emailing squamishtotes@gflenv.com. Report a Wildlife Attractant Bylaw infraction: 604.815.5067.
Report wildlife sightings to the COS 24/7 hotline: 1.877.952.7277.
May 27, 2021
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Sharleen Jun 6, 2021, 1:37 PM (3 years ago)
It would be great if we could please refer to the bear as either "she or he" or "they", as opposed to "it". Thanks!
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