Injured black bear killed by BC Conservation officers after Burke Mountain residents fed it over three days

An injured black bear in Coquitlam was killed by BC Conservation officers last week, after Burke Mountain residents had been feeding it for several days.

Coquitlam RCMP and BC Conservation Services (BC COS) sent out a press release on Aug. 16, reminding the public to not feed bears and to keep their distance. in the future.

“Feeding bears is a dangerous activity that puts public safety at risk. We ask the public to never feed or approach bears and take steps to help prevent bear conflicts,” said Danielle Bell of the BC COS. “Don’t give bears an opportunity to access garbage and other non-natural food, and help keep the community, and the bears, safe.”

On Aug. 14, RCMP of BC COS officers responded to a report of an injured bear with a large crowd gathered around it at the intersection of Kingston Street and Galloway Avenue.

At the scene, officers found the injured bear had been fed a watermelon, and neighbours informed them other residents had been feeding it over the past three days.

The BC COS said the bear had a history of conflict behaviour in the neighbourhood, including entering garages to obtain food from garbage. 

It was unable to be relocated and rehabilitated due to the public safety risk, and had to be “humanely put down” by conservation officers, according to the BC COS.

Anyone caught feeding potentially dangerous wildlife, including bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves can face fines of up to $575 under the BC Wildlife Act.

Burke Mountain residents on scene were warned of their involvement, but no fines were issued as the individuals who fed the bear could not be identified, the BC COS said.

Coquitlam RCMP are also reminding residents to be “Bear Aware” to prevent potential conflicts in the future. They say residents should keep their garbage secure, either indoors or in a secure shed, and only put it outside on collection days, and never the night before. Residents should also never feed wild animals, and if they come across a bear, they should not approach it or surround it.

“Bears become stressed with human contact and can be unpredictable,” the Coquitlam RCMP said.

They add that all bear conflicts and aggressive bear behaviour should be reported to the 24 hour Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline as soon as possible at 1-877-952-7277.

According to a Freedom of Information request published by The Fur-Bearers, a total of 69 black bears were killed by the BC COS in Coquitlam between 2015 and 2021 (64 percent of all bears in killed in the Tri-Cities).