A bear and two cubs found in central Nanaimo were put down because they were habituated to garbage, according to B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
Conservation officers and Nanaimo RCMP were on scene at Moyse Crescent the afternoon of Saturday, May 28, where the bears were found in the backyard of a residence. Sgt. Stuart Bates, B.C. Conservation Officer Service spokesperson, said there were approximately 50 reports of the bears accessing garbage, and euthanization wasnB次元官网网址檛 a decision taken lightly.
B次元官网网址淭he officers tranquilized them, consulted with the provincial wildlife vet [who] said, B次元官网网址榥o, if theyB次元官网网址檙e as habituated as they are and the body condition wasnB次元官网网址檛 great, then euthanize themB次元官网网址次元官网网址� Bates said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not the outcome we wanted by any stretch.B次元官网网址�
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Conservation officers had been telling residents in the area to secure their garbage and compost bins, and it wasnB次元官网网址檛 possible to set a trap in such a densely populated area. If one of the cubs were trapped, the mother would B次元官网网址渁ggressively protect that trap because the cub canB次元官网网址檛 get away,B次元官网网址� Bates said.
City of Nanaimo residents are supposed to put their garbage out by 8 a.m. on collection days, not the night before, and B.C. Conservation has penalized residents in the past for non-compliance.
B次元官网网址淸We] canB次元官网网址檛 really ticket a person because they didnB次元官网网址檛 put [garbage] in a garage or shed if they donB次元官网网址檛 have a garage or a shed, so we say secure it as best you can,B次元官网网址� the conservation officer said.
Officials originally said the bears would be relocated, but it was a miscommunication, Bates said.
B次元官网网址淣obody ever wants to do that and thatB次元官网网址檚 why they went to the step, tranquilize it and then double-check with the provincial wildlife vetB次元官网网址次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e go do all the steps we can, but it boils down to if people donB次元官网网址檛 secure their garbage and their compost, itB次元官网网址檚 going to happen again.B次元官网网址�
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