BC Parks is urging caution after receiving reports of a bear in Garibaldi Provincial Park. The bear was seen in the Cheakamus Lake are and the Helm Creek trail in the Garibaldi Provincial Park.
“While in the park watch for bear signs and ensure you carry bear spray. If you encounter a bear while in the park stay calm, make yourself known by using a stern voice and back away giving the bear space,” BC Parks says.
Please report any aggressive encounters to the 1-877-952-RAPP line. BC Parks is also urging people to be Bear Aware at the Alice Lake Provincial Park, where bears are destroyed every year due to campers neglecting to properly manage their attractants.
“It is illegal to leave food or garbage unsecured and unattended. Please store all attractants in a vehicle, hard-sided trailer, or bear-proof locker. Campers failing to ensure their camp is secure of attractants may be evicted from the park and issued a violation ticket under the BC Wildlife Act, cautions BC Parks.
Please do your part to ensure the safety of your family, fellow campers, and the local bears, by keeping a clean camp.
Meanwhile, the Joffre Lake Provincial Park is expected to open tomorrow, September 15. Asserting their right to the land, the Lilwat First Nations had shut down access to the park in August. The First Nations said they are asserting our Title and Right to our shared unceded territory to take this time to harvest and gather resources with their territories.
The park has been closed to the public since the Labour Day long weekend.
