Bears and Garbage a Bad Mix

Monday, December 19, 2005 07:37 PM

Council has referred to Administration a call for a Bear Safe garbage bylaw in the City of Prince George.

The Omineca Bear-Human Conflict Committee has made a presentation to Prince George City Council calling for a bear friendly garbage bylaw.

Specifically, the Committee wants rules put in place that will prevent you from putting your garbage can at the curb before 4 in the morning, and ordering you to make sure it is secure on your property by 8 that same night. There is also a reccomendation that garbage bins be closed, so no more overstuffing!

When storing the garbage bin between garbage collection days, the Committee would like to see the bylaw read that the bin must be secured in a shed or garage at all times.

The Committee made the request saying there are, on average, 50 black bears destroyed every year because of their wandering into urban areas in search of garbage. According to the Committee, a garbage bylaw such as this would protect bears, and reduce the chance of humans being hurt if they should come in contact with a foraging bear.

When questioned,Van Spangen admitted there will always be bears in Prince George,and he cannot say how many fewer bears would be destroyed by adopting new garbage rules. He does believe areas which have taken some bear proof measures have seen a reduction in bear activity.

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 07:37 PM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Palopu on December 19 2005 8:32 PM

I hope the bears are all wearing their watches and understand that they must be out of the Garbage area by 4 AM.

On the other hand I suggest if they are hungry, then they will still be around at 8 or 9 oclock when the kids are going to school,if they are then it will no doubt be necessary to destroy more of them than are being destroyd now. Bears have no place in a City for any reason. Citizens should not be held hostage to these animals just because they are over populating the country. I have lived in the area for many years and have to say that there are more bears here now than there ever was. This is not a good thing. Domesticated garbage eating bears are not a good thing.

Posted by: owl on December 19 2005 11:42 PM

"Council has referred to Administration a call for a Bear Safe garbage bylaw in the City of Prince George"

First thing they need to do is recall all the garbage bins and make the lid bear-proof .... may need to make them out of metal as well ..... and then alter the arm on teh truck so that it can open the lid automatically ......

I do not see why we, as residents are now stuck with an inferior product and have to pay for it ...

Buyer beware ?????

the thing is not designed for the purpose it is to be used for .... return it to the manufacturer and ask for your money back ....

the stupidity of the system is overwhelming sometimes .....

Posted by: diplomat on December 21 2005 7:56 PM

Gypsy: "First thing they need to do is recall all the garbage bins and make the lid bear-proof .... may need to make them out of metal as well ..... and then alter the arm on teh truck so that it can open the lid automatically ....."

One garbage can in five is piled high with garbage, with the lid almost in a vertical position. The crows are already coming back to pry and feast and make a mess! In order to have closed lids the driver has to refuse to pick up any cans that are not closed properly! That way people will have to avail themselves of the option of getting a larger can!

Again, the city is not obeying its own rules, just like when it comes to nuisance dogs, cats, illegal burning, booming car stereos and dogs doing their thing on the sidewalks while the owner is gazing at the sky!

Some owners carry a plastic bag, but when they return from a long walk with Fido it is still empty - it is just for show, unless Fido suffers from incurable constipation, of course.

Mankind, where oh where are you headed?