You can expect more bears roaming around B.C. this summer, as bear populations are at their highest peak in recent years.

Thatsa国际传媒檚 according to the B.C. Conservation Service, who destroyed 106 black bears, and four grizzly bears around the province in April and May sa国际传媒� the highest numbers of bears killed ever recorded by the ministry.

sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檒l have very busy years and then itsa国际传媒檒l slow down again,sa国际传媒� conservation officer Simon Gravel said. sa国际传媒淲esa国际传媒檙e probably at the top of the curve this year.sa国际传媒�

The number of reports being made to the conservation service RAPP line also doubled to more than 3,000 calls in the same time period.

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As more cities get on board with bear-smart techniques, like bear-proof garbage bins, Gravel said the population surge is being mitigated.

Destroying sa国际传媒� or euthanizing sa国际传媒� bears is the last option, and the sooner people report a sighting, the likelier conservation services can instead rely on non-lethal techniques, including relocating the bears or hazing sa国际传媒� when officers use techniques to chase bears out of neighbourhoods.

Bears getting comfortable and wondering into peoplessa国际传媒� backyards sa国际传媒渁ll start with rewards,sa国际传媒� Gravel said, which include overgrown fruit and nut trees and garbage being left out.

ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca
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