Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2006 23:56:28 GMT -5
Beware of bears in Mission
By Tricia Leslie - Staff reporter
You don't want to mess with this momma and her children. A female black bear and her three cubs have been spotted more than once in Mission in the past three weeks - even near Christine Morrison Elementary School - but conservation officer Colin Copland says there's no need for the public to panic.
"From what I've seen, I don't think there should be a lot of concern," he said Wednesday.
"It looks like it's a sow and three full-grown black bear cubs, but they haven't been as active in the past week . . . I think things are greening up and there's more natural food around for them."
Copland said bear activity has been reported in and around McRae Avenue [where the school is located], as well as near the Mission Sports Park and Israel Avenue.
"They seem to be just being bears right now . . . they haven't been aggressive to humans, but if they do get into trouble, then we'll have to take action."
Copland said a bear trap is still in place on Israel Avenue.
Christine Morrison principal Bill Fletcher said the school has taken action to ensure students and parents are aware of the recent bear sightings, even adding extra supervision at dismissal time last week.
"All the teachers have discussed this with their students," Fletcher said, and added a letter was sent home to parents to make them aware of the bear sightings.
Fletcher said the school is also emptying its garbage cans regularly and that he is staying in contact with Mission RCMP and Copland.
"Some parents and students have seen them - I've been here six years and have never seen a bear," Fletcher said.
"We just want everyone to be aware they're around."
Copland says such bear activity is usual for the valley and Lower Mainland and suggested people take extra care to not leave birdfeeders, composts, pet food and garbage outside.
"Bears are very curious by nature," he said.
"I'll keep an eye on it but right now, [bear activity] seems to have quieted down in Mission."
published on 04/21/2006
By Tricia Leslie - Staff reporter
You don't want to mess with this momma and her children. A female black bear and her three cubs have been spotted more than once in Mission in the past three weeks - even near Christine Morrison Elementary School - but conservation officer Colin Copland says there's no need for the public to panic.
"From what I've seen, I don't think there should be a lot of concern," he said Wednesday.
"It looks like it's a sow and three full-grown black bear cubs, but they haven't been as active in the past week . . . I think things are greening up and there's more natural food around for them."
Copland said bear activity has been reported in and around McRae Avenue [where the school is located], as well as near the Mission Sports Park and Israel Avenue.
"They seem to be just being bears right now . . . they haven't been aggressive to humans, but if they do get into trouble, then we'll have to take action."
Copland said a bear trap is still in place on Israel Avenue.
Christine Morrison principal Bill Fletcher said the school has taken action to ensure students and parents are aware of the recent bear sightings, even adding extra supervision at dismissal time last week.
"All the teachers have discussed this with their students," Fletcher said, and added a letter was sent home to parents to make them aware of the bear sightings.
Fletcher said the school is also emptying its garbage cans regularly and that he is staying in contact with Mission RCMP and Copland.
"Some parents and students have seen them - I've been here six years and have never seen a bear," Fletcher said.
"We just want everyone to be aware they're around."
Copland says such bear activity is usual for the valley and Lower Mainland and suggested people take extra care to not leave birdfeeders, composts, pet food and garbage outside.
"Bears are very curious by nature," he said.
"I'll keep an eye on it but right now, [bear activity] seems to have quieted down in Mission."
published on 04/21/2006
Source: www.abbotsfordtimes.com/issues06/043206/news/043206nn1.html