Black bear put down after North Van woman bit

Conservation officers have confirmed a black bear was put down in North Vancouver on Wednesday, after a Deep Cove woman was bit.

The BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) tells CityNews the woman was bit while she was gardening at her home around 3 p.m.

“Thankfully, the woman was not seriously injured,” the BCCOS said.

Conservation and North Vancouver RCMP officers were called to the area.

The decision was made to put down the large male bear, which the BCCOS was untagged, “to ensure public safety.”

While unfortunate, Christine Miller, co-executive director of the North Shore Black Bear Society, says the decision to put this bear down was necessary.

“We actually support the unfortunate outcome because, like people, sometimes bears or any wildlife can make a mistake. And when it involves potential safety issues in the community, sometimes they have to be killed for the safety of the people,” she told CityNews.

“This bear, he was a beautiful big bear. Many, many people liked him a lot. Very chill, I would say, he would just mosey around. But he made a mistake and it caused injury — not serious, but it was enough that the COS determined that he was a danger to people.”

Miller says there are “very, very few” incidents like this one, adding many bears have “got experience … coexisting in and around residential areas.”

“I don’t know why he did this but he shouldn’t have because he was mature and experienced,” Miller said of the bear.

The North Shore is no stranger to bears and other wildlife. Residents are urged to take precautions to avoid attracting bears, such as by securing attractants, properly handling and storing food scraps, pruning fruit trees, and not planting fruit bearing plants, unless you can properly manage them.

“We have a lot of bears and we have many, many people who really respect and value their presence, and they manage all their attractants very effectively,” Miller explained.

“Most people are really, really good and they get very upset when a bear loses its life,” she continued. “There was a lot of emotion yesterday because people liked that bear and they don’t like bears to be killed.”

The B.C. government says if you do encounter a bear, you should:

• Remain calm and slowly back away from the bear while taking to it in a quiet, monotone voice. You are told not to run or climb a tree, and do not scream. Never turn your back on a bear, kneel down, or make direct eye contact with the animal.
• Try to keep your distance from the bear and if it gets too close, use bear spray.
• When out with others, stay together in a group and keep children close, while carrying smaller children.
• Bring pets indoors if possible.
• Watch the bear until it leaves, making sure it has a clear escape route.

You are reminded that it is illegal to feed bears and other wildlife.

-With files from Angelyna Mintz