Maple Ridge – Last year, May 2019, the Silver Valley community in Maple Ridge was outraged at the killing of 3 black bears by Conservation Officers. Many people started working toward changes to make a difference.
The question is what has changed on the ground and has it made a difference?
A year has passed.
Early Monday evening, the BCB Black Bears Association were advised of a bear trap in Silver Valley and were told that one yearling had already been trapped, and it was relocated.
According to Conservation a new trap was set for an adult bear that is ear tagged and had been opening car doors and getting into garbage.
Both Conservation and City of Maple Ridge have ability to issue fines up to $500. In this situation, clearly attractants which were and are the cause of trap being set, are still out.
Letters have been submitted to City of Maple Ridge regarding the garbage in this area.
City of Maple Ridge bylaws have attached a warning letter to the garbage on neighbouring property to the trap.
Conservations Officers, because of limited resources, budgets and lack of specialty training, are making some catastrophic decisions for innocent animals.
The reminder is out again, be bear aware and bear proof your garbage and property.
