Photo: Margaret (shown) and her daughter Darleen were among the community members who have worked with the Rotary Club of Maple Ridge and The Fur-Bearers to distribute our coexisting with bears door hangers in targeted communities.
This week, thanks to the efforts of DarleenB., her mother Margaret and the Rotary Club of Maple Ridge, residents in the Silver Valley area of Maple Ridge, BC, will receive one of our coexisting with black bears door hangers.
The Silver Valley area is specifically being targeted because of the high number of black bear sightings and reports. Approximately 1,100 door hangers were distributed through Canada Post.
These door hangers include useful tips on how to coexist with black bears. Some of these tips include removing attractants including outdoor feeding of pets, unsecured garbage, compost or recycling and overflowing bird feeders. By not securing our garbage, it puts us and the animals at risk.
According to Wildsafe BC, garbage accounts for 60% of bear-related calls to the BC Conservation Officer Service. Sadly, an average number of 400 black bears are shot and killed by BC Conservation Officers each year because they are deemed to be a danger to the public. The Fur-Bearers believe that with more education, prevention, fines, bylaws, ticketing and changes to the BC Conservation Officer service itself – many of these deaths can be prevented. With your help it is a goal we are working towards.
We hope to continue to work together to expand this project. If you would like to sponsor the printed of our coexisting with bears door hangers, or would like to organize the printing and distribution of door hangers for your community, please contactLesley@TheFurBearers.com.
Want to help your community coexist and promote some great information? Visit our new program at www.StashYourTrash.ca.
