It's been the deadliest week in recent memory for bears in the Squamish Valley.
In the past week, five bears were destroyed because they repeatedly became a risk to campers in the Alice Lake and Dryden Creek campgrounds. Three were shot at Alice Lake and two were shot at Dryden Creek, while a sixth bear was struck and killed by a car on the highway near the Alice Lake turnoff. Another bear was also hit by a car near the Chief parking lot, but its condition is unknown as it ran away into the forest after the accident.
"The bears were getting into tents, tipping over coolers and taking food off tables," said Conservation Officer Chris Doyle. "One family was cleaning up after dinner and a bear started to intimidate them, invaded their campsite and began eating whatever food was left on the table."
Several attempts were made to scare the bears away, but they returned time and time again, causing a risk to campers and visitors to the park.
"I know a few campers slept in their vehicles for fear of their safety," Doyle said.
So far this year, conservation officers in the Sea to Sky corridor have received over 400 calls involving bears, but are only able to respond to those most serious. Doyle said that it is unusual for this many problems to occur at Alice Lake, as traditionally there have only been isolated incidents in recent years.
"They've become conditioned to non-natural food," said Doyle. "We would like to send out the message for people to control bear attractants. Campers should keep any food inside of vehicles and residents are urged to take proper care of their garbage, pick any fruit and clean up any fallen fruit in their yards."
