The Cat Lake recreation sites and lake have been closed indefinitely as of today, May 27, by the Conservation Officer Service and Recreation Sites and Trails BC.
The site has been closed due to the presence of an aggressive bear. This bear is actively seeking food from campers and entering tents to acquire it.
“Please avoid the area at all times. We will update when new information is available,” district says.
To find alternate camping locations, please visit squamish.ca/camping. The District reminds people to use bear-aware camping practices.
People are being reminded to always secure food and garbage and to never keep food in their tent. The District of Squamish and Conservation Officer Service are also urging Squamish residents to take extra steps in securing attractants, specifically garbage and organics totes, to protect a sow and her two cubs in the district.
The family unit is covering large distances between Loggers East and Garibaldi Estates in search of food. As the sow is being protective of her cubs and their current non-natural food sources, she may display defensive behaviour.
Steve Shard says
How about taking some more aggressive action against the idiotic campers who do not store their food adequately and/or leave their campsites in a state that serves as an attractant to the bears that habitat the area and have for eons.
“This bear is actively seeking food from campers and entering tents to acquire it.” No kidding. Bear 101. Store food in your vehicle or use tree caches.
Bears have been an issue in the Cat Lake campground area in particular since I have lived in Squamish- over 25 years.
In fact, it is time the Conservation Officer and/or the Provincial authorities with oversight in that particular area insist that the campsite operator install proper metal bear caches, as is required in many other camping areas in B.C. where human/bear interaction is common and expected.
As examples, I camped in Whistler some years ago (another well-known area with bear/human interaction) and campers were required to have NO food at their campsites. Period. Unless being consumed actively, all food and bear attractants had to be stored in your vehicle. And the campsite was patrolled throughout the day to enforce this zero tolerance policy.
Similarly, on Bowron Lakes circuit- a more remote camping area, but extremely popular, proper metal bear caches are provided for every campsite around the lakes.
Bears deserve to live and wonder, and yes forage in their habitat. Humans that wish to share those areas should do so with complete respect for the bears safety. Or the campers that can’t handle that responsibility should simply stay home. Or camp in their own back yards for their “outdoor experience”.
Sadly, a fed bear is a dead bear- sooner or later.