by Carl BR Johnson
May 30, 2013
Beware of bears, warned the B.C. Ministry of Environment.
After animals come out of hibernation, their metabolic rate increases as they become hungry, according to the ministry.
Sgt. Shawn Brinsky, a South Peace conservation officer, said the Peace Region is filled with bears, wolves, and coyotes and residents have to be aware that those animals can lose their fear of people if exposed to them over time.
“Any animal can become unpredictable,” said Brinsky.
“The reality is, there is a lot of wildlife all throughout the Peace. And animals in the rural residential area may become habituated to people, which means they will lose their fear of people.”
Brinsky said animals, just like people, have a “personal space”, and when that space is violated, that animal might make a potentially deadly choice.
“Over time … people may take unnecessary risks and will want to get closer to that animal – to take a picture, for example,” he said.
“Just like us, when someone gets too close, our anxiety builds up and we will react in any number of ways. Its defense mechanism will cause it to do one of two things: it will move off, or it will try to chase you.”
Brinsky advised that if people do come into contact with a bear or cougar, they should attempt to slowly back away from the animal and make noise towards the animal, do not scream or yell.
“That can be perceived as you being injured prey. Just make the animal understand that there is a personal space issue with you,” he said.
He said that people should bring bear bangers, bear spray, and a bell if they’re going to hike in an isolated area or if they think they might encounter a dangerous animal.
“Always make noise if you’re out hiking – like singing, whistling, banging a bell, anything to ward off an animal.”
Another concern for the ministry is that people may be intentionally leaving out food for these animals to take, which may cause that animal to become too familiar with that source of food and its surroundings.
Even if a resident leaves out food by accident, under the Wildlife Act, a conservation officer can issue a $230 ticket to residents, “who do not secure attractants.”
By definition, the ministry labels “attractants” as anything that may bring a wild animal closer to your home such as livestock and poultry carcasses for farmers, which the ministry recommends they bury, incinerate or render.
People who intentionally leave out items to attract wildlife can be issued a Dangerous Wildlife Protection Order, which can come with at $575 fine.
For many other types of residents, feeding harmless wildlife, such as deer or raccoons could potentially attract a larger and much more dangerous animal. These are natural prey and may attract cougars, bears, wolves, and coyotes to their area.
In 2012-13, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service received 25,184 calls regarding human-wildlife conflicts. Of those calls, 15,833 involved bears.
Over the past five years in B.C., an average of 600 black bears have been destroyed each year, while 93 have been relocated due to conflicts with people.
Animal relocation not a long-term solution because more often than not, the animal will in fact return to that conflict situation after being relocated, according to the ministry.
Also, the relocated animal’s survivability is no longer guaranteed after relocation because it will have to compete with already established animal populations in the new area.
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