I read with much concern your article in the July 6 edition of your paper about the black bear that was killed by the police.
We, on the North Shore of Vancouver, formed a very effective organization in 1999 after 39 bears were killed, as Dr. Ken Macquisten explained in your article.
Dr. Macquisten has been a great help to the North Shore Black Bear Network with his professional knowledge. The group was initially formed by a group of outraged residents and has developed into a network of citizens and local government representatives.
Prior to forming the organization, we had very similar experiences to the situation that your article so clearly revealed.
Local police are now trained about once a year by the Conservation Officer Service to understand the bears in a more enlightened manner.
We all work together to make the area safer for both people and bears, trying to follow the general rule – no attractants, no bear visits.
Perhaps we might encourage a few concerned residents of Abbotsford to make contact with us so that they too might form their own “bearwise” community.
Our meetings are held every third Wednesday morning of the month at the B.C. Parks Office, 1610 Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver, B.C. If any concerned citizen would like to attend one of our meetings, perhaps they could contact me beforehand. I may be reached at 604 990 BEAR (2327), the Bearline, or website www.northshorebears.ca
Tony Webb, chair,
North Shore Black Bear Network