Squamish has been listed as one of British Columbia’s Top 10 deadliest communities for black bears in 2023.
The Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals, also known as Fur-Bearers announced on July 16 that Squamish is ranked as the eighth deadliest community in the province, with 11 bears killed this past year.
This is the first year that Squamish has been listed in the top 10 since 2019, a year that saw 15 bears euthanized by B.C. Conservation Officer Service (COS).
Fur-Bearers executive director Lesley Fox says she is “extremely surprised” to see Squamish on the list this year, as “it is known for being a wildlife-loving community.”
“Typically, we don’t see Squamish in the Top 10. In 2019, it was a bad year with 15 bears killed, and in 2016, there were 11 bears killed,” Fox said.
“But generally speaking, Squamish, for the most part, stays off this list, so we were really quite surprised and sad to see that it made the list this year.”
Topping the list was Prince George with 76 black bears killed, followed by Kamloops with 31, Mackenzie with 28, Smithers with 24 and Quesnel with 22 bears euthanized.
Based on data obtained through freedom of information requests from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, 603 black bears have been killed throughout B.C.
However, the BC Conservation Officer Service only provided the Fur-Bearers with the location of where 247 black bears were euthanized.
Fox said the government agency didn’t release the location of over 50% of the black bears they killed.
“We’re calling on the BC COS to begin publishing bear kill statistics monthly, by location, for the public to see. There is no way for communities to do better when they don’t know there’s a problem,” Fox said.
The Conservation Officer Service told The Squamish Chief they recognize the importance of “providing accurate and timely data to the public, media, and stakeholders”.
“The COS is in the process of upgrading to a new, enhanced system where the ability to easily capture and report statistical information will be greatly improved. This system is hoped to be in place early next year.”
The COS also said officers across the province responded to a high number of calls relating to black bears in 2023.
“Conservation Officers across the province take extensive action to reduce human-wildlife conflicts through public outreach, education, enforcement, and responses in the field, but we can't do it alone - in 2023, the COS received more than 43,000 human-wildlife conflict calls, more than 60% of which related to black bears,” they said.
Protection for the future
Fox believes the announcement should act as a “wake-up call” for Squamish community leaders to refocus on protecting black bears.
“Squamish is renowned for wildlife—it’s the reason why people go there, and it’s a wonderful part of your landscape. It’s in Squamish’s best interest to protect these animals as it relates to your reputation and tourism,” she said.
“This isn’t a list that Squamish wants to be on, and I know the community has invested deeply in working to prevent negative encounters with black bears. However, it is a wake-up call for community leaders to revisit the commitment to the Bear Smart Program and take a hard look to see what can be done to prevent this in the future.”
Squamish and Kamloops are the only communities on the list that have achieved “Bear Smart” status.
To gain this status, communities must meet a list of criteria including developing and maintaining a bear proof waste management system and implementing a continuing education program.
However, Fox warns that they could lose their status if they fail to pick up their act in the future.
“The status can be revoked by the province. If communities are not in compliance, there is a risk to the community that they may lose that status,” she said.
“So I think there is some urgency that is required for Squamish to ensure compliance as it relates to their bear smart certification.”
District of Squamish media relations and content specialist Rachel Boguski told The Squamish Chief that the District funds a designated Wildlife Safety Response Officer to focus on "public outreach, bear-smart education, and wildlife response efforts to increase public safety and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.”
“Squamish is a community that cares deeply about wildlife, and has been a designated Bear Smart Community since 2010,” Boguski said.
“Any incident when a bear is destroyed is concerning, and we look forward to working with the COS to analyze this data, assess next steps and support COS efforts through our funded position."
Fox also encourages the community to remember to do their part in the protection of black bears.
“We live in a difficult world, and sometimes it can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember to think global and act local,” she said.
“It’s incredibly important for every resident to be mindful of attractants around their home and businesses and to take the steps necessary to do their part in reducing negative encounters.”
How to be Bear Safe in Squamish
The District of Squamish has a list on their website of all the ways residents can be bear safe throughout the year.
“Bears are opportunistic omnivores and will return time and time again to a readily available food source. However, if the attractant is secured or removed, the bear will move on,” the website states.
- Always use both locks to secure residential garbage & organic totes at all times.
- Place totes curbside between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. only on collection day and never the night before (as per the Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 2053).
- Reduce odours by freezing smelly food waste in a paper bag and dispose of the bag on collection day.
- Rinse out all recycling material to eliminate food residue & reduce odours.
- Ensure chicken coops & beehives are surrounded by a well maintained electric fence.
- It's best not to use birdfeeders during bear season (March-December). If you do use feeders, ensure they are at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 10 feet away from trees or climbable structures. Ensure seeds are not accumulating on the ground underneath the feeder by using a catch tray.
- Pick fruit as it ripens and don’t let it collect on the ground.
- Maintain an odourless compost by liming, turning frequently, cutting food into small pieces, layering greens with browns and never add meat, fish, fats or oils. Always cover food with lawn clippings and browns.
- Consider an indoor worm composter.
- Feed pets indoors and keep all bowls indoors.
- Keep barbecues clean and grease free by burning an extra 5 minutes after removing food and remove or clean barbecue tools.
- Move fridges and freezers indoors or lock them.
Please note, The Squamish Chief updated this story after it was first posted to include a comment from the District of Squamish.
