Squamish bear cubs given a second chance to remain wild

The District of Squamish, in partnership with the COS and Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), is asking for the community’s help to ensure that these bears, and all wildlife, can remain in the wild by discouraging them from finding food in our neighbourhoods.

“This is a second chance for these bears, and also a second chance for us as a community to think about and change our behaviour so that we can do our part to prevent this cycle from happening again,” says District of Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott. “By putting extra care into managing attractants and encouraging wildlife to move through our neighbourhoods instead of giving them a reason to stay, we can ensure a positive outcome for all." 

Trapping, rehabilitating, and relocating bears is only a temporary measure that is stressful for the animals, and requires many resources.

“The most effective solution is for neighbourhoods to manage and remove attractants in the first place. Simple efforts will help to ensure this situation is not repeated this year, which is the outcome that we all want to see,” says Sgt. Simon Gravel with the Conservation Officer Service.  

There are four simple ways that every resident can help:

1.        Keep totes locked and stored away. Bears are biologically driven to seek food, and many totes have been damaged as a result. Store totes inside a shed or garage if at all possible. If your tote or lock has been broken or damaged, contact GFL for a repair at 604.892.5604 or squamishtotes@gflenv.com;

2.        Ensure a bear feels unwelcome if you encounter a bear on your property. From a safe area shout, yell, clap your hands or use an air horn to encourage the bear to move on. Having a neighbourhood bear is not a good thing.

3.        Reduce odours by freezing odorous food scraps and rinsing all recycling.

4.        Remove attractants on your property, including fruit from trees. Please harvest fruit and allow it to ripen indoors, prune trees to a manageable size and consider a temporary, portable electric fence to protect your harvest.

Once a bear has become food conditioned and human habituated, there are limited options for its management. A tragic outcome can be avoided if every person does their part.

Report a concern:

For Wildlife Attractant Bylaw concerns, please contact Bylaw Department at 604.815.5067 or bylaw@squamish.ca.

For wildlife sightings or encounters, please contact the 24/7 Conservation Officer Service hotline at 1.877.952.7277.

Thank you to everyone who is championing bear smart practices within their neighbourhoods. Your efforts do make a difference.