White Pine Beach closed due to ‘food conditioned’ bears
White Pine beach is closed due to bear activity until further notice, according to an announcement Monday from Metro Vancouver Regional Parks staff.
Several bears in the area have become “food conditioned,” often venturing to the picnic area, according to Metro Vancouver senior media relations strategist Jennifer Saltman.
Bears that associate food with people tend to lose their fear of humans, sometimes getting bolder and more aggressive when looking for food.
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“This closure is meant to break the cycle of this bear frequenting the picnic area in search of food, protecting both the bear and beach visitors,” Saltman explained in an email to the Dispatch.
Metro is working with Conservation Officer Service to figure out what to do next.
The rest of the park is still open.
The beach closure follows a recently lifted food ban at təmtəmíxʷtən (“Tamm-tamm-eeuff-ton”) /Belcarra Regional Park. Cooking is currently prohibited in the park as a preventative measure, Saltman explained.
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