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Black bear destroyed due to habituation

COS deemed it a public safety issue and had to trap and remove this bear.
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A young black bear was caught in a bear trap on the Fernie ski hill on Wednesday

A black bear was destroyed yesterday due to habituation after it was caught in a bear trap at the Fernie ski hill. The BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) has assessed the bear’s activities and number of complaints over a lengthy period of time.

“COS determined that the young bear had become very accustomed to people, very aggressive and was breaking into homes. We deemed it a public safety issue and had to trap and remove this bear,” said Conservation Officer Joe Caravetti.

The bear was roaming around the ski hill area eating garbage. Soon it became bold enough to walk up to people outside their homes, scare them off, and then eat their dinners. A few days ago it started attempting to break into homes.

Bear Aware Coordinator Kathy Murray reminds all residents, visitors and campers to keep all garbage indoors, clean barbeques, keep pet food indoors and secure other attractants and keep doors and windows shut and locked.

Living in bear country, managing bear attractants can reduce the chances of bears becoming habituated to garbage and humans as a food source.