Conservation Officer Service officers killed a black bear at a Garibaldi Provincial Park campground on Friday morning.
The bear was killed at the Taylor Meadows campsite, after reports that it took several backpacks from hangers that were put up BC Parks for people to store food.
Conservation Officer Service said the bear was too much of a risk to the public. “The bear repeatedly accessed food bags from caches, returned to the campground numerous times and showed a minimal fear of people. Bears that are conditioned to human food sources are not candidates for relocation or rehabilitation, due to the risk to public safety.”
Last week, BC Parks had cautioned about an aggressive and food conditioned bear that was bothering park visitors in the Cheakamus area of Garibadi Provincial Park.
Day use visits to unclosed areas are still available at this time, but visitors must be bear aware: Travel in groups, make noise on the trail, never leave attractants unattended, and bring bear spray and know how to use it.
“If you see a bear on the trail, do not approach it. Wait for it to move out of the area or slowly back away and leave if the bear isn’t moving,” cautions BC Parks.
In 2022 so far, seven black bears have been destroyed in the Sea to Sky Region, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service, including a black bear killed at Cat Lake Recreation Site.
