11 bears killed in Tofino, Ucluelet after breaking into structures to find garbage
Conservation officers are asking residents of Vancouver Island's west coast to report bear sightings as soon as possible as the region deals with an unusually busy pre-hibernation season.
As of Wednesday, conservation officers had been forced to euthanize 11 black bears in Tofino and Ucluelet after the animals broke into structures in search of food.
Sgt. Stuart Bates, of the BC Conservation Officer Service, said he expects that number to rise, as there are other bears in the area that officers are currently trying to capture.
"We've had 337 calls, which is a 425 per cent increase over last year," Bates told CTV News.
While one or two bears can prompt a lot of calls if they're in a highly populated area, Bates said the sheer number of bears that have been getting into homes, sheds and garages is unprecedented in his career.
"I haven't seen a case like this," he said. "We're removing the bears and there's other bears showing up within days and they're already food-conditioned and habituated. I don't know what's causing it."
In one case, Bates said, officers received a call about a bear that had broken into a garage. When officers arrived 30 minutes later, the bear was still there, and the animal gave no indication that it was afraid of the officers.
That level of habituation, in which bears lose their fear of humans and come to view human structures as a source of food, makes the animals dangerous to local residents.
"That's a line that we will not allow our bears to cross," Bates said.
Unfortunately, habituated bears can't be relocated. They're likely to return to populated areas and continue to pose a threat to people they encounter, he said.
Instead, bears showing this type of behaviour have to be euthanized, which Bates said is not an outcome conservation officers want to see. He likened it to having a pet put down.
"It's not a nice thing to ever have to do," he said. "I hope nobody ever has to do it. I hope I never have to do it again in my career, but I know that's not likely."
Confoundingly, it's not obvious what's attracting the bears in Tofino and Ucluelet this year, Bates said. He said officers have patrolled the area on the night before garbage day in search of trash put out at the curb early. They didn't find any.
Now, he's hoping people who see signs of unsecured garbage or other bear attractants will get in touch with the conservation officer service as soon as possible. Deterring bears before they become habituated to humans is safer for everyone involved, Bates said.
"The sooner I know, the more options I have," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
The UN warns Sudan's warring parties that Darfur risks starvation and death if aid isn't allowed in
The United Nations food agency warned Sudan's warring parties Friday that there is a serious risk of widespread starvation and death in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan if they don't allow humanitarian aid into the vast western region.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.