A black bear has been killed after displaying aggressive behaviour and entering homes in Lions Bay.
B.C. Conservation Service officers made the decision to put the adult bear down after it entered a house on Wednesday night, according to the Ministry of Environment.
There were visible signs of forced entry by the bear, a spokesperson said.
“The bear had a long history of conflict with humans and was previously relocated,” reads a statement from the ministry.
The bear’s behaviour put the public at risk and no other options were available to mitigate that risk, the ministry said. “Bear death is very unfortunate and, in most cases, can be prevented by following bear smart practices.”
In a statement posted online, Lions Bay Mayor Ken Berry said RCMP informed him of the “highly unsettling incident” on Thursday.
“This incident is truly regrettable,” he said. “I know how diligently many of you have been working to take all the proper precautions and follow recommended guidelines to avoid human-bear interactions. Please know that your efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.”
The bear's death, however, will prompt the village to provide more information to residents on being bear smart, he said.
“This incident highlights the need for us to enhance our community’s practices to minimize such interactions further,” Berry said. “In the coming days, my office will be providing additional resources, educational materials, and support to ensure that all residents have access to the most effective methods for living safely with our local wildlife."
Bear conflicts can be reported anytime to the RAPP line at 1-877-942-7277. To learn more about living safely with wildlife, visit the WildSafeBC website.
