Residents in West Kelowna have taken to social media and are expressing their sadness after watching two bear cubs fall from a tree in a residential neighbourhood after being shot by Conservation Officers on Sept. 25. 

The B.C. Conservation Office Service (COS) has confirmed that it was forced to euthanize a black bear sow and her two cubs who had become food-conditioned in an effort to ensure public safety. 

"The bears displayed highly food-conditioned behaviour that showed a minimal fear of people, which included repeatedly accessing non-natural food sources and un-secure attractants, such as garbage,  pet food birdseed and fruit trees," said the COS. 

So far this year, the COS has received 76 reports of bears accessing un-secure attractants 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ like garbage 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ in West Kelowna.

Black Press has requested comment from City of West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom about what can be done to prevent situations where bears have access to unnatural foods, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Unlike other bear-populated communities in B.C. 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ like Revelstoke, Whistler and Squamish 91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ“ there is currently no bylaw in West Kelowna regarding the bear-safe storage and disposal of attractants like garbage.

Instead,esidents secure all attractants by removing bird feeders and storing garbage securely. It also asks that people wait until the morning of collection day to put out garbage and recycling carts.           

The Conservation Office, however, can issue warnings and fine people, up to $345, for attracting wildlife.

The COS said in the weeks leading up to the decision to kill the bears, it received numerous complaints from West Kelowna residents reporting that the bears were circling houses, sitting on doorsteps and spending time near schools with "minimal fear of people." 

Because the bears were used to eating un-natural foods they had become emboldened and were not fearful of humans. Based on provincial policy, the three bears could therefore not be relocated or rehabilitated and had to be euthanized, explained the COS. 

"Preventing bear conflicts is a community effort. Securing attractants, such as ensuring fruit is picked from trees and the ground, is the best way to keep people, and bears, safe," said the COS. 
Conservation Officers are investigating potential attractants in the West Kelowna area and will take enforcement action as warranted.
Bear conflicts can be reported to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hot-line at 1-877-952-7277. For tips on keeping wildlife wild, visit WildSafeBC.com