Bakker says that the bear was tranquilized and taken away, but recently the responses on social media suggest that communities are looking for alternatives to euthanize.
he Northern Bear Awareness Society is an organization that aims to reduce conflict between bears and people through education.
Recently, there have been various news reports of residents who are upset with bears being put down across Canada. Bakker says “there’s been an increase in public awareness, which is great for us because people are starting to realize that bears aren’t relocated anymore.
They end up being destroyed when they’ve become food-conditioned and habituated.” Sgt. Steve Ackles with the Conservation Officer Service says that once bears have started “breaking into structures, bluff charging or charging people, attacking pets, dogs, then we are forced to euthanize them at that time.”
Despite the efforts of communities to alert their neighbors of possible bears, and suggestions on social media groups on how to reduce the risk of bears habituating, Ackles says that people must report sightings to the provincial Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline.
The number for the 24-hour RAPP hotline is 1-877-952-7277. You can also report sightings online at rapp.bc.ca.
