Kermode bears hold a special place in B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 natural and cultural heritage, but in the Terrace and Kitimat area of northwest B.C., residents香蕉视频直播� admiration for the animal is prompting concern from B.C. Conservation.
Recent social media posts showing Kermode bears along the highway and forest roads in the area have sparked public interest, with conservation officer Micha Kneller noting the posts are prompting more people to head out in search of the animals.
香蕉视频直播淚 know people want to go and see them. And that香蕉视频直播檚 fine, but the more people that do that, the more chance there is that somebody may feed one of those bears and then that香蕉视频直播檚 not going to be good for the bear,香蕉视频直播� Kneller said.
The Kermode bear, also known as the spirit bear, is a rare subspecies of the American black bear found in B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 coastal rainforests. While most have black fur, an estimated 100 to 500 of them carry a recessive gene that results in the iconic white or cream-coloured coat.
Kneller warns that approaching the bears or offering food, even with good intentions, can lead to habituation and ultimately put the animals at risk.
香蕉视频直播淭hey become so habituated that they start approaching vehicles to seek a food reward,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭hey either end up climbing on vehicles, opening their hands in the windows of cars and things like that or they move to a town and start approaching people香蕉视频直播檚 houses.香蕉视频直播�
Once used to humans, bears face a higher chance of being struck by vehicles or becoming involved in conflict with people香蕉视频直播攃ircumstances that can lead to the animals being destroyed.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 the last thing that we want to do香蕉视频直播攅uthanize any bear, but especially a Kermode bear香蕉视频直播攋ust because people have been careless,香蕉视频直播� Kneller said.
Under B.C.香蕉视频直播檚 Wildlife Act, it is illegal to feed or attract dangerous wildlife, including bears. Violations can result in fines of up to $100,000 or a year in jail.
香蕉视频直播淪tay in the vehicle, keep the windows rolled up, take your pictures and move on,香蕉视频直播� Kneller said. 香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 more and more people going out to view them, and that's just bumping up the likelihood and the chance of a conflict.香蕉视频直播�
As bear activity rises across B.C. with the arrival of spring, conservation officers are reminding the public to secure attractants such as garbage, compost and food waste. Bears emerging from hibernation are especially vulnerable to food conditioning, which can lead to safety concerns and, in many cases, the destruction of the animal.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 always an uptick in bear calls for this time of year 香蕉视频直播� it香蕉视频直播檚 just disappointing that people still leave garbage out and bears are still getting into it,香蕉视频直播� Kneller said.
In smaller towns and rural areas, the public is advised to freeze odorous food scraps such as fish waste until collection day, store garbage in bear-proof areas, and report bear sightings early. Delays in reporting, Kneller noted, often result in officers having fewer options to prevent escalation.
Bear sightings and other wildlife concerns can be reported to the BC Conservation Officer Service香蕉视频直播檚 24-hour RAPP Line (Report All Poachers and Polluters) at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
