Bears have become quite the topic of conversation these days.
This past Saturday, a 10-year-old girl fell victim to a horrendous black bear attack while on a walk with her dad nearby a popular trail in Port Coquitlam.
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The incident happened near Shaughnessy Street and Lincoln Avenue along the Coquitlam River at around 5pm.
Screams were heard around the typically peaceful neighbourhood as witnesses frantically called 9-1-1 to help the girl. Her father was able to distract the mother bear and scoop up his daughter, rushing her to the hospital where she was treated for critical injuries.
Following the mauling, conservation officers killed the sow. The baby bear was taken to Critter Care, a rehabilitation centre for wild animals.
CBC reported that the cub may be killed, as well.
Because clearly this baby bear is a danger to society…
Growing up in PoCo, I always felt safe while walking along the endless wildlife trails and hiking through Minnekhada Park. Bears co-existed with humans in the way that they should: they inhabited the mountains as we safely stayed in the suburbs.
Sure, bear encounters DID happen. However, the interactions were few and far between. During the spring, when our furry friends awoke from hibernation, our parents and elders were much more strict about bear awareness.
Hell, I could recite the Teacher/Parent Letters I would receive from school warning us about the cubs wandering nearby our playground.
Perhaps the destruction of previously forested areas and the addition of more housing has something to do with the rate at which bears are venturing out of their usual comfort zone.
Even in North and West Vancouver, the bears are getting very comfortable when it comes to breaking into cars. On more than one occasion, vehicles have been destroyed by bears who caught the scent of something as small as a protein bar.
In recent years, the Burke Mountain area has completely diminished its forests to accommodate for humans, taking more space away from the bears who used to call the area home.
And, with more housing comes more people – which in turn leads to an increase in garbage and food scraps. You know what they say, “One man’s trash is another bear’s breakfast.”
I just made that up, but there is a scary truth to this newly-coined saying. If you do not properly dispose of your garbage, bears will start to come around. The more they do come around, the more comfortable they will be around humans.
Cue the protective mother bear on a popular trail along the Coquitlam River.
Of course, people should not be afraid to use the trails. The 10-year-old girl mentioned above is extremely lucky to be alive. But should officers have killed this bear because of its misguided interaction?
We walk this Earth with many animals who have inhabited it before us. It is up to us to find a way to live harmoniously with these beautiful creatures – and not slay every single one that ends up on the wrong trail at the wrong time.
Please, remember to dispose of your food and garbage properly. And if you see a bear, do not stop and gawk at it. Do not post countless stories to Snapchat. Do not give this bear a reason to feel comfortable around you.
Walk away and help save more than just a human’s life.
For more information on how you can stay “Bear Aware” in the Coquitlam area, click here.