We live in a fantastic place. Here, we have access to all manner of recreational opportunities, from hiking and kayaking to mountain biking and climbing - and everything in between. We work, live and play on the cusp of nature and civilization. But, the price we have to pay for living in such a lush and agreeable locale is we must strive to keep that harmony and try not to interfere with the natural world with which we coexist.
Let me give you an example.
When I lived in Montreal, I never gave a thought to my garbage, other than to remember which day it had to be out on the curb. I can honestly say that in all my many years living in that city, I never thought about bears getting into my garbage. Why would I? Then I moved to B.C.
When I first moved to Whistler, I was perturbed and rather annoyed that I had to bring my garbage to a dump or recycling centre, rather than have it picked up at the curb.
Then, on about my third week living in the resort, I had to write a story about a bear that had been breaking into people's houses looking for food. The morning my story came out, I had a visitor in my own home. At 7:00 a.m. I found myself in my underpants, facing a bear in my kitchen. Now let's be honest, bears are damn cute and fuzzy - when they are in a zoo, on TV or seen from far away. Up close - not so much. When a bear, or any other wild animal the size of a small car, is in your home, it's a bit scary. Even for an ex-army guy like me. Luckily, I must have seemed just as scary, and the bear left for greener pastures or less occupied homes.
A few days later, as I sat on my home computer, I heard the sharp rapport of a shotgun and knew the bear had been on his last B&E.
That's what happens to bears that get at human food. They get killed. Period. Because bears are extremely bright animals, they learn very quickly that a meal from a garbage can, dumpster or kitchen has a lot more calories and takes less time to fill up on than foraging for berries and skunk cabbage. And once they get a taste of human food, they'll keep coming back until someone has to kill it to protect the very people who probably caused the problem in the first place.
Lately, there have been bears getting into trouble in Brackendale and Garibaldi Highlands. It is up to all of us to take care of our own garbage and attractants around our homes. It is a responsibility we have for living in nature's backyard. Shirk that responsibility and you may just find an unwelcome visitor in your kitchen at 7 a.m.
Be warned.
