On EncounTeRing BEARS.. by a seasoned BC nature-lover

[Re-published from July 21, 2021]

I was compelled to write this in response to disturbing reports of (what should be rare) attacks by bears on humans here in BC's Lower Mainland - the worst part of which, for me, has been subsequent interviews with 'attackees' revealing they'd followed common advice they'd read in the media.

I can't help being concerned that irresponsible misinformation is so widely dispensed.  As a hiker/ naturalist BCer for whom encountering bears - in the wilderness & at home - is an almost daily summer occurrence, I feel the need to set the record straight.. & hopefully prevent any more unnecessary attacks!

First, let's debunk the most obvious falsehood making the rounds: the "make-lots-of-noise-to-scare-off-a-bear-as-soon-as-you-spot-one" approach.  In my experience, this tactic is much likelier to provoke a bear attack than anything!  This is borne out in at least one recently-reported attack on a camper, who when questioned afterward said they "did the right thing & made lots of noise by banging on pots & pans" when they saw the bear.  Luckily they weren't harmed.  But if they hadn't followed such bad advice in the first place, chances are the encounter would have been uneventful.

Making yourself visible to a bear - without making unnecessary noise - is, I've found, the best & easiest way to ensure any encounters with bears are incident-free.  Usually bears will either keep doing what they're doing, or turn & amble off in the opposite direction as soon as they see you.

It helps to know that bears are considered 'apex predators' (although black bears - most often seen here - are the shyest & least predatory of all bears).  Which brings us to the next misconception rattled off in the rags:  that mama bears are especially vicious with their young in tow.  Of course mama bears are protective of their cubs.  But unlike prey mammals (eg. deer/ mice) bears live a relatively threat-free existence; hence their laid-back demeanor.  That doesn't mean a mama won't lash out if you try to approach and/or lure one of her roly-poly cuddle-cubs (which is not only illegal; it's dumb AF!)  But as long as you keep to yourself, you won't be seen as a threat.

*  *  *  *

Bears' biggest threat is habitat loss by human industries like logging, as they need intact old-growth forests to thrive & hibernate in dens over winter.  Join groups like Wilderness Committee & Sierra Club & Wildlife Foundation to help campaign our govts to prioritize BC nature & #SaveOldGrowth & #SpeciesAtRisk+++. & vote for the party that serves peops not pulluters:  i.e. GREENS. (The rest are corrupt/ criminal)

*  *  *  *

Another thing to remember is that bears are omnivores, so they'll get used to eating whatever's most abundant & available - including human food, unfortch.  It's sad when people think it's OK to offer food to wild bears - despite being repeatedly WARNED NOT TO FEED WILDLIFE. Inadvertently (by leaving garbage accessible/ BBQs uncleaned etc.) or not, feeding wildlife can quickly turn them into nuisances, & more likely to be killed by authorities.

So it's CRITICAL to keep your home & yard free from food, scraps or waste - & to NEVER offer food to a bear:  once they equate humans with reliable food sources, they lose their fear of people & will return to the same spot yearly to forage, often becoming aggressive when defending food.

You can find out more fascinating facts about these solitary creatures here:

treehugger.com/surprising-facts-about-black-bears

If you DO startle a bear at close range (uncommon, as their hearing is better than ours - & with their excellent vision they'll probably see you first & will likely lumber away) DON'T make lots of noise - that may provoke her!  It's best to STAY CALM & let her wander off.  If she doesn't, or moves toward you, don't panic.  Back out of her way, while talking in a low steady voice & facing her the whole time.. without making a fuss!

Bears are experts at sensing fear & threats:  as long as you don't run at it or start screaming or some other startling behavior, bears will in most cases go about their business & ignore you (unless you have unwrapped food on you - NOT recommended!)  Chances are, they've a date with a berry bush/ mulberry tree top of mind & won't be easily deterred:  give it a wide berth/ get outa the way & you should be OK!

After countless positive encounters with bears, I can vouch for these tips to ensure your (& bears') safety here in  Bear Country:

(a) REMAIN CALM at all times. 

(b) Remember you're in their territory (even at home), so be aware & respectful always - of ALL wildlife.  If you have fruit trees they can access, leave them alone if you don't mind bears on your property (you can't blame them for finding their very fave desserts to eat!)  Believe me, coexisting is your least stressful option - & bonus:  they're fun to watch from afar. 

(c) When on hikes/ walks in the woods, never stray from designated paths & walkways.  Talk in a normal voice to alert bears of your presence.  Just like you, bears can find loud obtrusive noises irritating, esp. around their young.  From their p.o.v. the goal is to silence the noise - by attacking it!

(d) Just because a bear lumbers away on first seeing you, doesn't mean it's afraid:  it's instinctual.  So if you try & intimidate a bear by confronting it/ imitating it/ roaring loudly/ standing up to it (as some dumb sites advise) the bear may take your behavior as a challenge/ threat, & be provoked to attack! 

(e) Keep all food well-wrapped, & use bear-proof bins & garbage cans outdoors.  At home, decommission bird feeders & bring indoors until fall, when bears go to hibernate over winter.

(f) The main thing to keep in mind is:  yes bears are bigger & stronger than you, but their chief concerns are food (& more food) & their own families.  As long as you don't deter their access/ attention to either, there's no need to freak when encountering bears - say hi & move on.. & they'll likely do the same (even acknowledge you with a lazy 'wassap' nod before resuming as before)🌳

(g)  DON'T push your luck by trying to get a snapshot if it's close enough to lunge at you/ your camera:  you're still a potential intruder in its space!  Best to keep your distance when photographing these gorgeous critters - you can always ZOOM IN.  Or wait until next time, when you're more prepared.

My input on BC's 'B.E.H.F.' draft - Spring 2024

Here's my official input on the draft BC Biodiversity & Ecosystems Health Framework - to be finalized in Spring 2024.  If you care about saving BC's (fast-dwindling, due to clearcut logging & overdevelopment) wildlife habitats -- & who doesn't -- please write to the BC Govt to let them know your views (though the deadline has passed, it wasn't well publicized).  I've included the Ministry's reply below it)

To: biodiversity.ecosystemhealth

Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship (Ministry of WLRS)

Re:  DRAFT B.C. BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH FRAMEWORK

.

Please include this letter as my input on your well-intentioned Biodiversity (BEHF) framework currently before us.

I had a whole lengthy, carefully researched & well-worded essay -- on which I'd spent hours compiling, duly including points as recommended by the hard-working eco-orgs of which I am a member & remembering to commend your Govt's upstanding efforts in drafting the BEHF.

But I've deleted it, recognizing my optimism felt entirely false -- & my well-considered arguments were mostly repeats of other heartfelt letters I've directed to your offices 'ad infinitum', ever since your BC-NDP Govt was elected in 2017 on promises of Climate action & --yes-- protection of our invaluable ecosystems against Big-Industry extractive pipelines & projects that your leader(s) vehemently denounced & vowed to oppose "using all the tools available"... or some such pre-election hype from your party's promo toolbox..

And it's been one giant disappointment after another observing the reality of your Govt's non-progress on aLL its avowed plans/ promises on Climate action -- ESP. your constant scathing & very vocal derision of the newly-hated Clark-led Liberals, amid non-stop claims that the BC-NDP were different & would overturn the Libs' reckless pro-pollution policies & champion publicly-clamored Climate action instead, like heroes!

How wrong we've been to keep hoping for a sign that our love of, & pride in, "Super, Natural" BC's clean waters, iconic wildlife habitats & globally-rare ancient forests was shared (& protected) by our new Govt!

Instead, despite overwhelming growing public support for fresh new nature-restoring -- desperately-needed -- paradigms of Climate-balancing/ forest-protecting/ wildlife-conserving laws & policies that brought hope for a better, more sustainable future (bolstered by many letters of encouragement to 'do the right thing') your Govt has squandered each & every opportunity to make good on your promised intentions for ecosystems.

Even as evidence of -- & public demos/ protests/ opposition to -- irreversible harms of your pro-BigIndustry stance compounded (which you are finally -- belatedly -- addressing in this BEHF) your party has violated its own newly-adopted UNDRIP laws by fast-tracking clearcut logging (=decimation of our most beneficial & biodiverse primary forests) & fragmented threatened wildlife habitats.  

Your Govt is also to blame for -- but won't admit -- extinction of our last rare Spotted Owls by permitting logging of habitat that should have been protected at all costs.  You've also backed RCMP-led armed raids against indigenous land-defenders' rightful opposition to CGL & TMX violations of their hereditary rights & title.. to the extreme point of violently arresting them & overturning previously-hard-won legal recognition of their hereditary land rights..

More recently, your Govt had the gall to stand by & do nothing for the Fairy Creek forest protectors who were -- shockingly -- criminalized by a judge for their non-violent & publicly-backed defence of an important & beloved old-growth watershed from being unlawfully wiped off the map:  a crime against these Climate-balancing C02-sinking eco-heroes, the best of which still stand unprotected against loggers, thanks to your inaction..

Notably, one of those selfless Fairy Creek defenders is a member of the upstanding Green party (an admirable org. whose generosity & leadership aided your party's political ambitions by legitimising election promises to save old-growth in 2020).

If these caring, committed eco-activists & FN land defenders continue to be shamed for their lawful pro-Nature activism, we'll know for sure just how fraudulent your Govt's BEHF intentions are..

Meanwhile, delaying any beneficial Climate/ eco-measures (& publicly claiming otherwise -- in pricey TV ads touting NON-EXISTENT 'CLIMATE CAPTURE' TECH no less!) has pushed BC's biodiversity/ natural habitats to the very brink of Climate disaster.. & many of your already-approved extractive nightmares have yet to be built!  If/ when they're up & running, if your govt continues allowing these reckless new monuments to rising emissions --  eg. Site 'C' dam, LNG (fracked-gas) development, clearcut logging/ old-growth destruction, Ingerbelle expansion, Blackwater Gold mine, to name but a few -- the colossal damage to biodiversity & ecosystems will be locked in & unmitigated -- ALL ON YOUR WATCH.

So you see, as an informed citizen -- & a Vegan -- I cannot find it in me to commend yet another of your Govt's claims of Climate action/ intentions, since from the start you have repeatedly dismissed/ ignored public calls to action & instead made decisions that:

(A.) SERVE the interests of extractive & polluting corporations, not citizens; 

(B.) DEFY our right to clean air/ water & (govt-pledgd) Climate action; 

(C.) FAIL to meet our Climate goals;

(D.) ADD TO ever-climbing GHGs; 

(E.) DRIVE erosion, flooding, wildfires+++;

(F.) SABOTAGE communities' resilience.

Biologists, ecologists, experts & locals agree:  BC's iconic wildlife is extirpating at alarming rates due to worsening fires/ habitat loss from cont'd clearcut logging & overdevelopment.. as well as the lack of a (promised) proper 'Species At Risk' law.  Science-advised transformative changes are long overdue, yet your Govt's inaction - while siding with polluters - is V worrying. 

I am hoping against hope that this new 'Framework' WILL result in actual, permanent protection of our most at-risk & invaluable old-growth ecosystems with the most threatened wildlife.  But I find it hard to trust a Govt that operates so dishonestly & fails its duties to those who pay your salaries.  That resembles dereliction of your sworn duties, which I cannot pretend to respect or support.

*  *  *  *

One pending disaster in the works I feel duty-bound to mention is the Zincton Resort, proposed for the heart of BC's Inland Temperate Rainforest.  At stake, for starters, is the survival of at least 185 known species at risk in BC’s under-protected Inland Rainforest.

The whole area is prime grizzly bear & mountain goat habitat, which this massive unsustainable development would forever fragment & disable by its sprawling size alone.

At this critical point, ONLY clean-energy/ habitat-restoring/ low-footprint/ off-grid/ renewably-run/ sustainable/ zero-waste projects should even be considered now.  Zincton Resort is none of the above -- its proposal outlines a high-traffic, heavy-footprint, high-profit all-season outfit (1,200+ guests daily!) with NO PLANS to benefit/ enhance/ honor local biodiversity/ ecology/ wildlife:  NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!

The Zincton area is one of BC's few wildlife havens left, home to grizzly bears, cariboo, mountain goats & other native species that NEED large tracts of intact wilderness to survive - & keep away from communities, to prevent more "nuisance bears" from being killed.  Noone wants that.

I - & almost everyone I know - vote for the bears++ to stay, & for projects like Zincton Resort to die before they drive more wildlife to extinction & add more GHGs to our ever-rising emissions (= the very last thing we need now!) 

TXA wildlife impact assessment by registered professional biologist & grizzly bear expert Wayne McCrory has found that the project will significantly diminish, and could eventually wipe out, three provincially blue-listed species: grizzly bears, mountain goats & wolverines. Western toads would also suffer increased mortalities.  This is wholly unacceptable in today's changing climate:  we can, & must, do better!

*  *  *  *

Wolves are another imperiled & unfairly maligned wild species, thanks to misguided (& harmful) 'culling' (= killing) programs implemented by your Govt.  Yet wolves are an important keystone species that help balance ecosystems & biodiversity.  Please watch the documentary 'Return of the Wolves' (2005) which details the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone Park, a landmark conservation project in the 1990s aimed at restoring natural balance in the park's ecosystem.  The film explores the ecological significance of wolves as apex predators & how their presence has benefitted many species & the landscape itself. As most conservationists agree, CULLING IS NEVER THE ANSWER.  I'd add, it's an embarrassment to your Govt's declared biodiversity goals to continue such cruel & unnecessary barbarism - not to mention hypocrisy.

*  *  *  *

CLEARCUTTING has turned vast areas of BC into dried-out fire accelerant, incLuding our globally rare primary forests - which instead of being protected as they should, continue to be logged & exported to provide PELLETS FOR BURNING FUEL OVERSEAS!! (For example) This unsustainable industry violates all eco-laws & undermines our every effort to save irreplaceable ecosystems, & must end ASAP.

Unknown to most, your Govt continues to issue permits & allow proposals for industrial extraction projects deemed (by ecosystem/ wildlife experts, scientists etc.) to worsen the size/ spread of wildfires & further degrade wildlife habitats.  That the threatened Spotted Owl habitat in Spuzzum was logged instead of protected at all costs, is just one example of extreme malfeasance re. Biodiversity's shrinking habitats driving extinction - proof that both fed & prov Govts have been derelict in their duties to uphold their duties as stewards.  In the end, the onus is on honest Govt leadership to enact the proper expert-advised measures - without polluting corps' vested lobbying input - that will preserve & restore our globally-rare natural ecosystems for generations to come.  The alternatives - worsened degradation, drought & extirpation of our most valuable natural sustainers - are unthinkable.  And unnecessary.  We can do this -- but only with your genuine commitment to renewed good stewardship.

*  *  *  *

One more crucial point:  as a result of BC's increasingly disastrous, record fires - eg. last summer (2023) - long-burning & widespread due to clearcut logging/  spraying cutblocks with toxic glyphosate/ replanting monoculture conifers solely for harvest (& largely preventable by policies akin to what this BEHF draft purports to address) there exist across BC MASSES OF NOW-BURNT TIMBER in degraded ecosystems.  New enforceable laws under this plan should require logging co's to prioritize harvest of these burnt stands before any more intact forests are cut.  AND such operations must be carried out within 2 years of those fires to have any effect.  THIS of course falls under the revive/restore part of this new BEHF initiative.

*  *  *  *

To end this input on a (somewhat) optimistic note for the future of BC's biodiversity/ ecosystems, I'll draw your attention to the ironic ease, efficiency & speed with which legislation banning plastic straws was implemented - the widespread success of which surely proves:  our efforts as individuals on the Climate/ extinction crisis are only effective if bolstered by an accountable & transparent Govt that is not afraid to take charge & make the changes needed to dispel corruption & bring about the better future we ALL deserve & desire!?

The alternatives - incl. Honing same-old backward last-decade concepts/ dinosaurs; degrading, ecocidal, extractive, perpetual-growth & wasteful economies - will only bring more destruction, hopelessness & misery.  Please do the right thing & (finally) PUT THIS PLAN IN ACTION, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE TO SAVE OUR BELOVED NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS & THE BIODIVERSITY WHOSE SURVIVAL IMPLICITLY DEPENDS ON OUR STEWARDSHIP NOW:  let's not let them down! (Please?)

Thank you very much,

Sarah M. Chesterman

AND here's the emailed response I received:

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health WLRS:EX	Feb 2, 2024, 12:50 PM (8 days ago)		Reply
to me

Hi Sarah,

 

Thank you for your email and for taking the time to provide input on the draft B.C. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health Framework (‘Framework’). The input received will support the work to finalize the draft Framework and inform planning for implementation. Once the Framework is finalized, it will be released publicly along with an implementation plan.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Biodiversity and Ecosystems Branch

Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

I oppose BC's unethical woLF CuLL program!

[My letter to the Prince George Citizen]

Re:  CULLING WILDLIFE IS NEVER THE ANSWER!

Dear Editor(s),

I strongly oppose the B.C. wolf kill program.  Sustained killing of wolves, in the absence of protecting adequate caribou habitat, is unjustifiable. This inhumane activity is contrary to the values of most British Columbians.

The Govt. has permitted forestry, mining & other resource companies to disturb & destroy caribou habitat, & now that some herds are on the brink of extinction, wolves are made the scapegoat (again).  It is avoidance of what really should be done, which is to stop destruction of wildlife habitats.

We would be wise to consider that reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone National Park led to a much stronger, healthier & more resilient ecosystem.  In BC these ecosystems evolved with wolves as an apex predator, & they will not function properly without them.

What these systems did NOT evolve to cope with is massive habitat disturbance/loss as a consequence of logging, mining & oil/gas activity.  Approved old-growth clearcutting, Northern Gateway/TMX pipelines, Site C hydro project & various LNG pipelines do more harm to caribou herds than ANY wolf population.  BC's Wolf Mgmt. Plan itself stated that its wolf-killing programs "have not resulted in any measurable benefits for caribou", while Alberta’s wolf cull "failed to achieve any improvement in Boreal Woodland Caribou survival" (Journal of Zoology, Nov. 2014).

Notably, the UN declared 2021-2030 the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration -- to fight the catastrophic impacts of degraded/destroyed ecosystems on biodiversity, climate, food security & water supply.  ALL experts in this field -- from biologists + conservationists to observers + scientific researchers -- have provided overwhelming evidence that HUMAN INTERFERENCE IN WILDLIFE HABITATS IS DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH + LONG-TERM SURVIVAL OF WILDERNESS ECOSYSTEMS.  

Recognizing the importance of biodiversity & the lasting impacts of species loss, in 2017 the BC NDP Govt. promised to enact a Species At Risk Law by 2020.  In 2019, Premier Horgan announced that no such law was pending "in the foreseeable future".

Govts. must recognize the intrinsic value of healthy species & ecosystems, & the critical role they play in supporting healthy human economies.  We have a moral obligation to prevent species extinction, first by habitat protection -- based on the knowledge of independent ecologists/ traditional knowledge holders.  In accordance with BC's Declaration on the Rights of indigenous People's Act, the Govt. must work with indigenous communities to develop this law.  Before it's too late.

https://www.raincoast.org/2015/01/voices-against-the-wolf-cull/

HeLp me SAVE THESE SPECIAL TOADS!

(Letter to Govt)

Written with Wilderness Committee's letter-writing tool --you can write one too! --here:  

Wilderness Committee -TAKE ACTION for TOADS!l

Photo from WildernessCommittee.org

my letter:

TO: Nakusp Mayor & Councillors, Premier Horgan, Minister Heyman, Minister Donaldson, Minister Beare, Mr. Andrew Weaver

RE: PLEASE PROTECT SPECIAL TOAD HABITAT!

Dear Madam/Sirs,

I was so very dismayed to learn of plans for more logging to take place at Summit Lake, home to the largest population of western toads in the world. Every summer thousands visit to watch baby toads migrate from the lake where they are born to the forest they spend their lives in. In fact the BC government once called it “one of the greatest wildlife migrations in the world”.

I recently learned that the Nakusp & Area Community Forest Company (NACFOR) has cut some core toad habitat for timber in recent years. These new cuts could easily endanger these famous toads --& I cannot stand for that to happen!

I am still reeling from this terrible news, as I am shocked you would allow this iconic species to die out due to destruction of their habitat for a one-time profit grab! This shows a very UN-CANadian disrespect of our iconic, precious native wildlife - especially in light of recent exposés on BC's ruthless & unsustainable logging policies. This obsolete attitude is the very antithesis of what we want to honour here in beautiful BC, & i find it unacceptable.

I am asking you today to please set aside a minimum of 670 hectares of this prime wildlife habitat instead of cutting it for timber. The toads rely on intact forest habitat across Highway 6 from Summit Lake, where they migrate & spend 97% of their lives: losing this unique endangered living species would be an unmitigated ecological tragedy that your decision noT to log could prevent! The Wilderness Committee of BC states:
"We ask that no more logging occurs in the 670 Ha of NACFOR’s tenure that has been research-identified as core terrestrial toad habitat. This small area is 'Species at Risk' habitat.. As of 2018 over $800,000 has already been invested to prevent toad deaths on Highway 6, which cuts off Summit Lake from adult toad forest habitat.."

Please: Let’s not waste this investment by recklessly destroying toad habitat across the highway! Many thousands of people would be utterly destroyed by such a callous, careless action..

These world-renowned toads are responsible for Toad Fest, a raging ecotourism success drawing thousands of visitors each year. This event alone can provide sustainable economic opportunity in the growing sector of ecotourism if the native toad population is preserved, being the largest of its kind for this species..

This forest is also home to wild grizzly bears, great blue herons, couer d’Alene salamanders & other species at risk. Protecting its rich biodiversity is a critical imperative, if we are to survive this global crisis let alone thrive -- which isn't likely if we keep logging the healthy forests & wilderness areas that sustain us!?

Instead of irresponsibly cutting down this forest & undermining all cherished values except the one-off sale of timber (which in my opinion would be criminal given the global state of things due to deforestation etc), Nakusp should respect its native local wildlife species & preserve their important habitat, thereby facilitating peaceful enjoyment of this favourite tourist spot for decades to come..

As the sole owner of NACFOR, Nakusp can choose not to log & instead be key conservation partners going forward: this option is preferable for everyone -- except perhaps the habitat destroyers, the logging co's that have unsustainably raped too much of BC for far too long. We cannot afford to lose more carbon-sinking forests, or drive more wild species to extinction..
Enough is enough: a climate emergency is underway, & Canada's performance so far has been shameful at best -- ie. our destructive resource-mgmt methods have contributed to this 'climate crisis' - & we must transition to liveable, sustainable methods that protect remaining healthy ecosystems from harm - for future generations at the very least..

Please do the right thing & protect these toads from unnecessary habitat destruction!

Thank you very much.

Sarah Chesterman
Maple Ridge, BC

Powered by Ne



& some nice.after-effects *beam*

Original message------

From: Charlotte Dawe

Date: Thu, Jul 4, 2019 8:09 PM

To: Sarah Chesterman

Subject:Thanks for being a toad person 🐸

Thank you for speaking up for the toads, Sarah! You are an awesome “toad person” whether this is your first or fifth action to protect species at risk in BC.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity for action:
Post to Facebook ►Share on Twitter ►Share by email ►

------ Original message------

From: SaRaHC. .

Date: Fri, Jul 5, 2019 10:06 PM

To: Charlotte Dawe;

Cc:

Subject:Re: Thanks for being a toad person 🐸

Awesome Charlotte, & thanks for the copy of my letter!  I am honoured..🐸 --& as always, i'll keep sharing & writing..

This iS THE most important work I do sooo-- I'll see all campaigns thRu.. come what may!  One thing's sure:  we're on the right side, with more people-power added daily to quash the evil dunderheads who think they'll always get by on their disinformation, lies & pollution that'll topple them all in the end, exposing their ACTUAL hold on things.. 

(I've no doubt it's less than we believed, & disengaging from polluters will ROLL once the tidal wave of CLEAN GREEN BETTER WAYS defeats their toxic ops -- hopefully before aLL forests are felled & extinction has set in..)

Together we wiLL make it happen!

Guess our biggest challenge is our own Govt that gets away with shirking their sworn duties to us people, in favour of pandering to the evil corporate forces that control them.  We'll prevail --we must!-- by (finally) learning from 1st Nations, our rightful leaders from the start..

Cheers!! Keep me posted please..💚

SARAH CHESTERMAN

Sent from my Mobile

------ 

Wildlife 'KILLING CONTESTS': W.T.F. BC? (Letter 2 Minister Donaldson)

I am sick to death of being bombarded by local newscasts featuring the most heinous, repellant activities with provoking indifference, adding insult to injury by interviewing the participants thereof more often than the experts who have dedicated their careers/ lives to in-depth studies of impactful relevance today.  Have fearmongering & sensationalism replaced the tenets of good Journalism as BC's media standard? Or is our trajectory into EVIL hastening our demise, by our media's blasé disrespect toward life itself?

The latest assault on everyone's sense of decency & peace of mind --not to mention deeply upsetting to children who are sensitive to such horrific violence-- are depraved groups who openly carry out & promote 'Wolf wacking', ie. egregious 'Wildlife KILLING CONTESTS'!?  Such blatant harbingers of hatred' make my blood boiL --doubtless due to the inexplicable AIRTIME somehow allotted these murdering creeps, to promote mass killings of the wildlife we are beholden to cherish & protect!?  NO:  this shit is THE depth of wilful depravity/ignorance & the opposite of values we hold dear here.  I don'T want to hear the views of sadistic sickos who revel in bloodsports -- i need to know such disrespect for life will not go on unchecked -- & those involved in/ perpetrating these heinous crimes do NOT deserve to operate freely in BC!

Thankfully, thru the LeadNow group of caring activists i took the opportunity to use their easy letter-writing tool to impart my strong feelings on this topic to the BC Minister of Forests Doug Donaldson -- @ this email, if you are compelled to email him yourself (please do) -- FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca


Minister Donaldson,

I am writing this with a heavy heart, having lately been inundated with overwhelming proof  my provincial Govt doesn'T care about its public (ie. those whose best interests you promised under oath to protect & serve).

Nevertheless i must express my deep concern at the recent gross preponderance of BC news exposing sadistic & un-Canadian acts of violence toward our native wildlife -especially the sickening 'killing contests that defy all sense of decency/ respect.  What appalls me most, Minister Donaldson, is youR publicly casual dismissal of these activities, as if remotely acceptable!?  They are noT.

These contests embody gratuitous violence against defenceless animals, have no cultural linkage or science-based purpose & are thus pure bloodsport threatening the lives of BC’s most beloved wildlife.  BCers CANNOT & WILL NOT CONDONE psychotic delight in killing our wild animals!! (Isn't this a given?)

Doesn't this disrespect of Cdns' lifelong caring/duty towards wildlife (as outlined in our Constitution) TELL YOU SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG HERE?  WHY DO YOU CONDONE WHAT OBVIOUSLY OFFENDS OUR LOVE OF THE WILDLIFE WE ARE BOUND TO PROTECT?  DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN SUCH HATE TOWARDS INDEFENSIBLE WILD ANIMALS, MINISTER DONALDSON?

IF as you say these disgusting killing contests run by murdering haters are perfectly legal, then as a lawmaker you must UPDATE THE LAW to ban them ASAP!

Please do the right thing immediately, in keeping with your position as a lawmaker/ leader/ public servant..

Thank you.