A black bear in Whistler was killed after accessing multiple homes in the village, according to an update from the Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW).
On July 15, the bear entered a home in Emerald Estates, and conservation officers subsequently killed the animal because it became food-conditioned.
The same bear accessed homes in Whistler's Alpine neighbourhood last week, prompting the RMOW to remind residents to keep windows and doors secured, and to properly secure wildlife attractants like garbage, pet food and birdfeed.
When bears become food-conditioned, show minimal fear of humans and enter homes, they “are not candidates for rehabilitation or relocation,” according to the RMOW's update.
The sad news coincides with data recently released by The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, colloquially known as The Fur Bearers. The association is a registered charity “whose goals are to end the commercial fur trade and promote solutions for wildlife coexistence in communities.”
The Fur Bearers submitted freedom of information requests to the BC COS for data relating to where black bears are killed annually, with the goal of “helping communities make changes to reduce negative encounters, and ultimately deaths of black bears,” according to the report published online.
This year’s report shows 603 bears killed, but not all locations were released. The BC COS listed the top 10 communities.
While Whistler isn't on the list, Squamish came in eighth place with 11 bears killed.
Both Whistler and Squamish hold Bear Smart designations.
The RMOW asks residents to report bear conflicts to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277. Conservation officers monitor the reports and act if necessary.
Report unsecured animal attractants to Bylaw Services by phone at 604-935-8280 or email at [email protected].
Read more at whistler.ca/bears.
