A bear is believed to have preyed on a miniature donkey that was found dead in its paddock near WebsterB次元官网网址檚 Corners in Maple Ridge last week.

The BC Conservation Officers Service received a report about the slain donkey on June 17. The owners and conservation officers believed it to have been a cougar, after several sightings of big cats have been reported by residents of the neighbourhood.

Residents also report they have lost lambs to predators in recent months.

But CO Service Sgt. Todd Hunter said they consulted an expert in predators, and from photos of the little donkeyB次元官网网址檚 remains, the specialist guessed that it had been a bear attack.

Sure enough, the residents of the property set out a security camera, and received images of a black bear coming back to the scene, B次元官网网址渘osing around the kill site,B次元官网网址� said Hunter.

Hunter said the COs have set a trap for a bear B次元官网网址� a culvert trap which captures bears live. He said there is a strong likelihood the bear has killed other livestock in the neighbourhood, and needs to be removed from the area.

Mary Robson told The B次元官网网址 she has lost two lambs to a predator, while another neighbour has lost five. Robson said she has taken to shepherding her remaining 13 sheep in a golf cart, to ensure they are safe.

Once the bear is caught, Conservation Officers will make a decision whether it should be permanently removed from the population, Hunter explained.

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Hunter said residents can help reduce wildlife conflicts by taking measures to ensure their animals are not vulnerable to prey B次元官网网址� although he did not fault the donkey owners.

He advocates for electric fences as effective against predators such as bears: B次元官网网址淲hen they get zapped, they do not like it.B次元官网网址�

Hunter said Maple RidgeB次元官网网址檚 Wildsafe Coordinator Dan Mikolay has done great work demonstrating how effective electric fences can be.

B次元官网网址淒anB次元官网网址檚 been doing some good work with volunteers from Maple Ridge Bears,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have a really effective communications system.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淕enerally, every year weB次元官网网址檝e got issues where people have livestock preyed on,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淪o we need the public to do everything they can.B次元官网网址�

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He refers the public to B次元官网网址檚 new public information online, including tips and strategies such as how to use bear spray, camping in wildlife country and having B次元官网网址淎 Wildsafe yard.B次元官网网址�