Higher-than-average bear sightings this year in Lower Mainland parks

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – More bears are showing up in Lower Mainland parks, and conservation officers say people are to blame. Up to 7,000 sightings could be recorded by the end of this year.

Conservation Officer Murray Smith says the number of sightings in 2019 is already a third higher than average.

“3,200. There’s a good chance we could be up around between 6,000 to 7,000 reports this year for the Lower Mainland.”

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He adds people in parks are attracting bears by leaving behind things they can eat, but wetter weather this summer might help keep the bears at bay.

“That would be a good thing if we had a natural berry crop coming into the fall, and bears wouldn’t be looking for [an] alternate food source.”

Smith says people know they can be fined up to $500 for leaving picnic leftovers, but they’re doing it anyway.

“We need to make sure that this garbage and food is locked away and is not accessible to bears.”

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