|
Happy New Year Bear Watchers! |
|
|
|
|
Written by Norma Rodgers
|
|
Tuesday, 05 January 2010 |
Despite a large ear-tagged bear in the Bayview area that caused trouble for a few weeks, 2009 was a quiet bear year. Other Metro areas experienced the same lull in bear activity. Some experts attribute the lessened bear/human conflict to an abundant berry crop that kept bears munching on wild food. Unfortunately abundant food one year means more cubs next year, and perhaps more pressure for bears to seek human food. Lions Bay will need to continue to keep unnatural food inaccessible to bears, especially if the bear population increases next year.
In 2009, the Bear Smart Committee sponsored bear education presentations at Gleneagles and Lions Bay schools, donated bear books to both libraries, created bear signs, liaised with trail and garden committees, worked closely with Council, and participated in Bear Smart waste management changes. Several bear resistant bins were purchased for storage use only in 2009, but now in 2010 the new Friday pick up with a semi-automated truck allows bear resistant bins to be used kerbside.
In 2010 the committee plans to assist with full implementation of the Village sign posting procedure, Bear Smart bylaw enforcement and waste management improvements. Our goal is to apply for Bear Smart Community status in 2010 once the Bear Management Plan is completed and endorsed by Council.
Now that all the bear signs will be posted by Village Works, volunteer Bear Watchers can focus on learning more about bears, advising neighbours about bear activity and expanding the network during 2010.
Thanks for caring about the bears!
| Comments () >> |
 |
| Write comment |
You must be logged in to a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet. |
 |
|
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 January 2010 )
|
Community Services 
