Conservation officers forced to euthanize young Kelowna bear – Okanagan | 24CA News
It’s that point of yr when bears are out of hibernation and wandering round once more, which can result in an unlucky end result.
Conservation officers had been in Kelowna’s decrease mission neighbourhood Tuesday monitoring a bear that was solely a year-and-a-half outdated, after they decided it had been returning to space properties. They discovered it, tranquillized it after which it was euthanized.
It was a stark reminder to residents of what can occur in the event that they go away rubbish exterior their properties.
“When people are still keeping their garbage out, bears suffer the consequences of it,” stated conservation officer Hailey Gooliaff.
More bears are being sighted visiting properties all through the Okanagan not too long ago. According to conservation officers, this cannot solely result in harmful outcomes for owners however the cubs themselves.
“Once a bear becomes food conditioned to unnatural food sources such as garbage they will continuously seek out garbage,” Gooliaff stated.
“Even if we tried to relocate them, if it’s unsuccessful they will find the closest community that has garbage available. So unfortunately in these situations, the bears need to be euthanized.”
When bears come out of hibernation they’re in search of one thing to eat, which is why security officers are reminding the general public to place their rubbish in bear-resistant bins and keep away from having attractants close to their properties.
“They have the ability to smell things from a very long distance,” stated Lisa Lopez program supervisor for WildSafeBC. “They’re omnivorous, right? So they’ll eat different things. They’re not stuck to one type of food source.”
The fuzzy creatures aren’t solely drawn to rubbish however something that will odor good in your yard, together with your backyard.
Kim Titchener, founding father of Bear Safety and More, suggests eradicating berry bushes out of your property or organising electrical fencing round apple and different fruit-bearing bushes. “All of these things can bring bears in, but if they aren’t around, then bears will keep moving through,” stated
Conservation officers additionally stress the significance of reporting any bears which may be sighted in your neighbourhood.
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