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.

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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)

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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.

BC-NDP KILLing our wiLd COYOTES? NOT on MY WATCH!

Please see my Letter to Govt. (also posted to this blog) OPPOSING their heinous Wolf Cull program - @ this link:

I Oppose BC's UNETHICAL WoLF CuLL: Letter 2 Govt

Culling protected urban wildlife like these cherished coyotes in Stanley Park is NOT a solution to the "problem" (?) of wildlife in our parks, it's yet another abhorrent sign that elected officials are UNFIT to govern this once-thriving province; their every decision spells 'FAIL' for our biodiversity, our precious old-growth forests & our very own Stanley Park urban paradise..

Even Conservation Officers are FAILING US by acting with psychopathic insensitivity toward the many beloved species with which we share our home - for as any true, legit Conservationist knows, CULLING IS NEVER THE ANSWER!

Where's the RESPECT for Nature & all its variety of species (Flora AND Fauna), which Conservationists (& BCers) have a long-held & proud tradition of HONOURING?  Now, instead of prioritizing co-existence with all BC's endemic wildlife (as their jobs dictate) they think nothing of setting barbaric LEG-HOLD TRAPS (which should have been banned years ago) & MASS-MURDERING these blameless creatures, when they should be doing everything in their power to PROTECT THEM, per our Constitution?

What happened to the City's plan to amend Park hours to close it to the public from dusk to dawn - LIKE EVERY OTHER PARK IN BC??  They didn't even TRY to enforce that policy!  Instead, we were suddenly informed of some ridiculously ill-advised 'Malkin Bowl' concerts planned for AFTER-DARK HOURS in Stanley Park!!?  Talk about hypocrites!!!

I'm with Bryan [Adams] 100% - TRAPPING & KILLING urban wildlife is an utterly ABHORRENT, MINDLESS decision by an inept govt. that's woefully OUT OF TOUCH with what makes Vancouver LIVABLE!  Having a giant forest paradise in our midst -- along with other parks & beaches & numerous natural wonders -- inevitably brings abundant urban wildlife to these areas. It's one of the greatest joys of living here, & the vast majority of residents are ON BOARD WITH 'doing our bit' to nurture & respect the thriving biodiversity around us. NOT by feeding/luring them irresponsibly of course, but by enjoying them from afar & LEAVING THEM BE!

The few who act in ignorance -- acclimatizing wildlife to human conflicts/attacks -- should be seen as the problem that needs fixing -- i.e. NOT THE FAULT OF BLAMELESS ANIMALS with whom we've coexisted happily for decades!!? "Getting rid of" ANY of them is unthinkable.

Stanley Park is our JEWEL, & as such should be a protected park, NOT A FREE-FOR-ALL FOR TOURISTS TO ABUSE & DESECRATE!!? Invading its peaceful serenity with inhumane LEG-HOLD TRAPS (which could easily hurt other creatures, not just coyotes) & terrorizing every lifeform sheltered in this forest sanctuary VIOLATES its every purpose & PUTS OUR CITY ON THE MAP OF SHAME!

It's nothing short of an indecent act of terrorism by govt. officials who've lost touch with the limits of their "power" as public servants.. 

PS. If we can't train/inform the population, how can we enjoy our city?  Problem is, people can't be BOTHERED to teach each other to coexist with nature - which is their lame excuse for doing what's "easier" & KILLING OFF whole groups of species in which they've NO BUSINESS INTERFERING!?  That's not progress, it's IGNORANCE!  Canada's constitution enshrines protection of native wildlife - which our govts forget in their blind rush to "get rid of" inconveniences that make our world LIVABLE.. (Wish we'd get rid of THEM, they're making OUR city UNLivable!!)  Fact is, coyotes are V helpful for balancing ecosystems like Stanley Park.. so we're better off learning to live with them, not harming/ killing them.. (We've harmed Nature enough - to the point that our biodiversity & ecosystems & environments are downgrading, FAST.

We need to instill healthy respect for ALL nature's lifeforms in every resident/visitor of BC.  MODIFYING OUR BEHAVIOUR, NOT CULLING WILDLIFE, IS THE ANSWER TO HUMAN-BROUGHT PROBLEMS.

Letter to PM Harper

[NB:  Sent last year, this letter was recently revised & re-sent.  Feel free to use the PM's email address & any info herein to compose your own letter. Click this link to sign PETA's petition:  http://is.gd/Y8QFUl]


Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

RE: THE CANADIAN COMMERCIAL SEAL HUNT

Dear Prime Minister,

As a fellow university alumnus (UBC) and native of western Canada (who also loves my cats), I write to you without ego or presumption - but with the respect due my country's prime minister.  At the risk of appearing naive (having been assured this letter wouldn't reach you), I feel the need to correspond directly as (a) my federal MP is great but doesn't have the time/inclination to undertake the in-depth research I have done nor to edit all that data into a succinct letter, (b) nor does our national media, (c) your official actions in this matter are directly at odds with your public image/ stated principles, as well as with the wishes of thousands and with firsthand/ scientific evidence, suggesting the information you have is incomplete or manipulated to serve your sources' political ambitions/ interests, or both, and (d) MP's/ lobbyists who were entrusted by thousands failed to put certain legislation through in Jan. 2013 despite assurances of its inevitable success.    So I'll cut to the chase and strive for brevity by editing out all known/probable redundancy.

I've taken it upon myself to research the yearly event which your DFO Minister Gail Shea has called a "Canadian tradition", a "cull" and a "humane" activity:  the Commercial Seal Hunt. After steeling myself to spend many difficult hours over the past few years reviewing a panoply of material from a broad range of resources I feel equipped to appeal to your consideration of this letter with more objectivity than emotion.

Having undergone what feels like trauma but is merely gut response to firsthand accounts thereof - thus insignificant compared to real effects on actual participants - I must draw your attention to the regrettable reality of the Seal Hunt, which owes its continuation to your government's approval.

It is difficult to accept such approbation upon viewing firsthand documentation of this event in the form of streaming video depicting grown men out on the Atlantic ice floes (i.e. the native habitat where mother seals recover with their newborn young) proceeding to clobber defenseless, petrified seal pups using giant hooked 'hakapiks'.  What can only be described as callous and unwarranted ruthlessness relished by the perpetrators, this repugnant scene negates aLL claims that the Seal Hunt resembles a 'humane' activity in any sense of the word.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su6CGssYM60&list=PL82DF2DB802B9413F&index=3]
Video footage of Canada's Seal Hunt from HSI shows sealers revelling in the sickness of their own sadism, defiantly drawing out - instead of minimizing - the tortured anguish, desperation & distress of their terrified little victims - maximizing the abusiveness of their unfair advantage & openly disrespecting life's beginnings for these gentle creatures. The nightmarish sight prompts more outrage from my fellow viewers than excerpts of Holocaust death-camp scenes in WWII's aftermath (NOT taken lightly themselves).  It would be easier to believe we're witnessing clips of criminals caught in the act, or severely mentally-disturbed post-trauma patients, or a scene from some sick gore-flick, than 'ordinary' citizens carrying out an activity encouraged by the Government of Canada.  That we're expected to dislocate our innate sense of what is right & dispassionately accept something so obviously wrong engenders extreme resentment of those entrusted with our country's leadership.  Mr. Harper, what we've seen ISN"T right & I'm appalled you allow it to continue.

The eyewitness evidence sheds sinister new light on Ms. Shea's public assurances that such cruelty could conceivably be called a 'Canadian tradition'.  What was once considered necessary for surviving Canada's winters bears no resemblance to today's Seal Hunt:  a sadistic 'pastime'/sport indulging torture of baby wild animals played by degenerates/social outcasts/ violent  thugs - i.e. a senseless carnage now banned in most global markets yet supported by the federal govt.  (see this recent post:  http://liberationbc.org/blog/tag/seal-hunt/). Ms. Shea undermines the very people she claims to support in her stubborn refusal to help upgrade their community's obsolete 'industry' into a productive, sustainable operation free from harmful interference in wildlife ecosystems.

As if government's resistance to progress weren't insulting enough, Ms. Shea's defence of last year's quota of 400,000+ seals as a 'CULL' to "stop the [2-week-old?] seals from decimating cod-fishing resources" is either misinformed or a blatant lie.

In fact, young cod makes up only 3 percent of the seals’ diet. The majority of their diet actually consists of fish and squid that prey on young cod; therefore, removing the seals from the equation may actually result in more cod disappearing as predatory fish flourish. The currently low cod population is the result of poor management on the part of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Even the Department of Fisheries and Oceans admits the seal hunt has no positive impact on cod population, explaining that the hunt is "...not an attempt to assist in the recovery of groundfish stocks...Seals eat cod, but seals also eat other fish that prey on cod."17 

http://liberationbc.org/issues/seal_hunt

Ms. Shea's ignorance makes one wonder:  why is she so desperate to condone this sickening bloodbath inflicted by yobbos terrorizing baby wildlife? Why does government keep justifying these yearly massive killing sprees at taxpayers' expense?  And HOW can you justify spending more taxpayers' money to dispute the ban on seal-hunt products (i.e. failing in your duty to our native wildlife) while importing pandas from a country with a woeful record of animal welfare abuses?  It doesn't make sense! I'm EMBARRASSED to admit I'm from Canada now, it's gross...

NO commercial, ethical or scientific argument - much less the ridiculous lies with which Ms. Shea continually undermines your government's integrity - can explain the sickening slaughter of defenseless seal pups.  As you ought to know, the international bans simply reflect contemporary society's growing awareness and must be accepted if we're to move with the times.  Rather than wastng money & resources on a dying industry, sealers ought to be provided with (or equip themselves with!?) alternatives that engender self-sufficiency as opposed to government-funded murder/ waste.  Judging from videos on sites like YouTube most sealers operate outside the limits of professionalism with offensive & unethical behaviour (if not signs of mental trauma) that degrades themselves AND all Canadians.  I cannot stay silent as long as it continues.

I beseech my country to uphold all international bans on trading in these death-skins, & to stop using taxpayers' money to challenge the EU's decision to halt this trade.  Such misuse of public office casts doubt upon your reputation as a democratic world leader.  A decisive move to end this abuse of the wildlife Canada's constitution pledges to protect would be more fitting.  Please do the right thing by allowing wildlife the benefits of being a loved & honoured native of this country:  i.e. protected & celebrated as part of what makes Canada beautiful.

Thank you.

SARAH CHESTERMAN