Annual bruin invasion: Oct. 9, 2009

Article by: Christine Scott
Photo by: Jim Dubois

Attracted by the irresistible stench of countless spawned-out salmon carcasses, Coastal Black Bears become a common sight throughout October as they feast alongside local riverbanks. And where one bear appears, more can be expected…often with cubs in tow.

Every year at this time, despite the fact that most human-bear conflict is almost entirely preventable, local conservation officers brace for hundreds of reports related to bear sightings in residential areas.

Thankfully, the number of bear complaints is lower this year compared to previous years. Ben York, Field Supervisor, B.C. Conservation Officer Service, advises this is due in large part to high numbers of Pink salmon keeping the furry beasts happy and well-fed down by the rivers.

According to York, it’s highly desirable for “Ursus americanus” to keep a natural fear of people. If these dangerous wild animals wander into a yard, York advises homeowners to “Throw rocks, yell, frighten the bear away … but from a safe place and at a safe distance.”

During the autumn season, the chunky mammals do all they can to fatten up, requiring 10,000 calories a day before hibernation begins. Bruin activity usually slows down by the end of October when they’ve packed on enough lard to den down for the winter. However, on Vancouver Island, bear complaints may continue well into November.

In spring and summer, local forests produce sufficient wild food for bears to forage on. By October, blackberries and red huckleberries have shriveled and dried, so bears switch to salal and Oregon-grapes, while slowly moving down to lower elevations.

Bears consider fruit to be a natural food source, so communities with abundant domestic fruit trees can expect more than their share of furry backyard visitors. Once wild animals learn how to access human food, they'll overcome any obstacle to get it. On Perkins Road in Campbell River north, a black bear has broken down the same fence section ten times in the past three years.

Sadly, bears face almost certain misery and death when they lose their fear of humans and become “habituated.” The first line of defense is reducing bears' access to non-natural food sources by proper management of attractants. In “bear-tolerant” communities such as Whistler and Revelstoke, bears still exist but far fewer bears have been destroyed because programs are in place to reduce attractants.

Household garbage is the single biggest killer of bears. To bear-proof backyards, put garbage out the night before scheduled pickup day. Stow sealed garbage cans where bears can’t access them. Pick all fruit and store inside. Keep pet food indoors. Double-wrap disposable diapers (one of bears’ favourite things to eat). Scrub down BBQ grills.

New amendments to the province’s Wildlife Act regarding appropriate waste containment call for fines up to $50,000 for failing to comply with a citation to cease providing food for dangerous wildlife.

Learn more about the “bear problem” (in reality, a “people problem”) online at: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos/info/bearaware. Access Bear Smart community programs: 250-266-BEAR (2327). Report bear conflict to Ministry of Environment’s 24-hour Emergency Co-ordination Centre: 1-800-663-9453.