Dear Editor:
I join the increasing number of victims who have reported black bear intrusions in their gardens in the City of North Vancouver to the Conservation Officer Service, through the 604-990-BEAR North Shore Bear Hotline.
My latest interaction with the B.C. Conservation Officer Service was on Sunday after our local black bear made its fourth visit to my garden and that of my immediate neighbours in the Grand Boulevard area. The bear left behind a trail of destruction including a dismantled bee hive, a broken compost bin, and three denuded apple trees; one of which was knocked completely down. I phoned the service to inquire what could be done to deal with the situation and was taken aback by the response of the officer on duty.
As I described the recent damage wrought by the offending bruin, the officer cut me off, informing me that it was I who was responsible for enticing the bear into the neighbourhood in the first place, with my city-supplied compost bin, my neighbour's fruit trees with their unripe apples, and my newly revitalized beehive.
The officer went on to refresh my memory of my 1960s elementary school science class where we learned that bears do their best to fatten up before their winter hibernation and so naturally we can expect them to look for food at this time of year. Finally, I was told, in no uncertain terms, that I should not expect the government to solve my problems for me.
Neighbours who have phoned the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to report bear damage at their homes have reported similar responses, including a senior in her late 70s, who was dismissed with an admonition to, "Just shoo it away. . . ."
My concern is simply this: Large dangerous animals are roaming the gardens and streets of our city posing a threat to the safety of its inhabitants, including seniors, children, pets, as well as to our property. It was my understanding that the publicly funded conservation service was in place to deal with such threats, not simply to berate those who report these dangers. Perhaps I am deluded.
Martin Dale
North Vancouver
