Bear death tally rises at Christina Lake
By Mona Mattei
Four bears euthanized so far this year at Christina Lake can’t be identified as being part of the group of “drug” bears found last year at a local grow op, according to ministry staff. Kootenay region Inspector Aaron Canuel of the Ministry of Environment says the bear situation at the Lake is fairly normal for the year, but they did recently humanely destroy two more bears adding to the toll from earlier in the year. “We’ve recently had to destroy a couple of severely habituated bears that were basically a threat to public safety. We will not compromise that,” Canuel says. “When bears are exhibiting those kinds of behaviours – a lack of fear of people, jumping up on people’s decks, or even scratching at windows or doors to get in houses and sheds – obviously that’s not a natural behaviour and that’s when a bear creates a problem.” The bears who were killed were located above the townsite in more remote areas, but Canuel says they cannot confirm the identity of the animals as being a part of the group discovered last year that were being fed by Allan Piche at his property in the Fife area. Up to 24 habituated bears were fed dog food over several years by Piche who has pled guilty for feeding wildlife under the Wildlife Act, and is waiting on sentencing in the case is scheduled for sometime in November or December. He is also pending a hearing for production of and possession of for the purposes of trafficking in, marijuana for the grow op found on his property at the time. The ministry attributes the some of the success in managing the wildlife issues to the work the Christina Lake Stewardship Society is doing on a bear aware program educating people. “We’ve talked to over 600 residential homes and 30 businesses in the area talking about attractant management principles – keeping outdoor fridges clear of food, cleaning bird feeders, cleaning barbecues, picking up fruit now it’s fruit season – any of the things that attract bears to an unnatural food source needs to be addressed,” Canuel adds. Canuel strongly encourages people to communicate with the conservation office if they are experiencing altercations with bears who appear unafraid of humans.
If anyone witnesses unusual activity or any illegal act regarding wildlife they can contact the conservation office through the RAPP hotline 1-877-952-7277. Tips received are anonymous, and illegal acts will be followed up on.
