Environment

Planned Parenthood for BC Bears

by cynthia yoo | April 30, 2008 at 12:55 pm

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Whistler's famed black bear "Jeanie" will be put on birth-control in a controversial 5-year plan that aims to reduce the number of foraging bears.

Jeanie, a large black bear that was the star of a BBC documentary, is the target for the immunosterilization injection, which lasts up to five years. If administered it would be the first time it would be used in Canada on a wild bear.
"I don't think the risk is that great and I think it may save her life in the long term," said Sylvia Dolson, executive director of the Get Bear Smart Society of Whistler.

In Whistler, a garbage bear is a dead bear. Some bears have had to be destroyed, others are killed crossing the busy Sea to Sky Highway. That is not an end Dolson wants for Jeanie or her cubs.

"She is only getting into trouble when she has cubs and other times she stays on [Whistler] Mountain, so perhaps this would work to keep her out of conflict," said Dolson.

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Jordan Yerman

at 13:26 on April 30th, 2008

Humans have to meet the bears halfway, though, and not leave food in their cars or out on tables. Once bears see cars as vending machines, the damage is pretty much done.

cltaylor56

at 14:09 on April 30th, 2008

A bear at the garbage dump near my parents house in Northern Manitoba, August 2007. It was a poor season for berries, so the bears were forced to find an alternative food source.

cltaylor56 has contributed a photo to this story.

cynthia yoo

at 15:23 on April 30th, 2008

It's a shame that these amazing animals are termed "garbage bears."

jackstand3

at 15:27 on April 30th, 2008

This Rocky Mountain National Park bear came close to our house to search the trash can for some goodies. He wasn't intimidated by shouts to leave. After he had his fill, he strolled on to find another trash can to pick.

jackstand3 has contributed a photo to this story.

degles

at 19:18 on April 30th, 2008

This 18 month old bear cub began foraging neighbors garbage, standing on hind legs and peering into windows, and wandering through neighboring front yards inbetween mothers and children. Within a couple hours, this cub was moved by Utah Wildlife officials, to a new home farther from humans. They become unafraid of humans, and continue to come closer, which not only poses a threat to the residential community, but threatens the bears existance as well. A very sad day to see the little one relocated, but it was the best for his survival, and ours.

degles has contributed a photo to this story.

Wandering Beyond

at 15:46 on May 1st, 2008

This photo was taken at a bear awareness and safety event held at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. The event detailed the dangers of leaving food or garbage in a bear-country backyard or campsite. The garbage can in this photo is a bear-proof bin which proved to be impervious to attacks from the two grizzly bears. For more information about the event or about bear safety, visit bearinfo.org.

Wandering Beyond has contributed a photo to this story.