10 —- Wednesday, September 2, 1998 — North Shore News Our local bear policy is bankrupt Dear Editor: The Bare Policy on BG's environment depart- ment cither hasn't the finding or is not using the funds in its policy of “bear removal.” On Aug. 8, a black bear was shot on the Burrardview Co-op around 4:30 p.m. The - ently “friendly” with residen- tial locations in the area, and no doubt posed a “potential danger.” A B.C. environment conservation offer answered the call from an alarmed neigh- bor. | spoke with him. He was apprehensive and justifiably so. Is it possible for one man to surround a bear, chase it over three wood-walled terraces, a chain link fence, and up a tree? I knew the bear would not be tranquilized. I was further assured of this when two RCMP officers arrived with a shotgun. On Aug. 20, BCTV's Channel 11, “Real TV" aired the capture and shipment of a black bear in the U.S. Four or grounds of north shore n MAIL Box ears need our care Editor: I just read the North Shore News story about nwo bears recently shot on the North Shore and subsequently spake to several peo- ple, all of whom were as appalled asf bv the death squad tactics used. Ie seems toa me that the ode comerainon officer is totaily inappropriate. Very hitic thought scems to go into the preserving of these bears and to their welfare and protection. Instead we always get the quick and dirty solu tion — the sert of action Phird World coun tries rake with stray dogs and cats. Today L heard a radio interview with a con servation officer in Penticcon, He said chat because of the so-called “lack of success” with relocation, conservation officers now only have two options: cither shoor the bear or give the local residents the option of tolerating i. Nowhere in the North Shore News story did I read about any effort to give this second option to the residents by dispelling the myth that bears are dangerous and will attack arbi- trarily (the risks are probably lower than those of automobile accidents) and telling them how to minimize any risk by behaving appropriately while the bear is in the area, which is usually Care in The nur: ers involved in n lauded - gz our recent spell of torrid weather, | was a patient 4 2. ~ hospital °°" y stalY and all oth- Lions of one week deserve praise. only for a short duration anyway. From the description of the boys throwing rocks ac the untortunae bear that was killed ta Deep Cove, itis obvious that public education is of para- mount importance. On the North Shore, we are privileged to have large areas of semi wilderness virtually in our by, tds. Phe fact thar we enjey and profit trom this unquestionable. You have only to look atthe high usage tor recreational and health purpos- cs, But tis asset also carries with it the cost of co-existence with the other, primary users of this wilderness: its wild creatures, We wander into their backvards at will, but then they wan der into ours, what do we do? We shoor them. This is not living in harmony with nature. Tris up tous, the human custodians, to ere- atea more humane, respectful wav of co-eds tence TF challenge the Ministry of the Environment te look urgently: at new ways of handling the bear situation in urban environ ments and to apply the principles of real con servation when doing wo, Patricia Mason North Vancouver Their care was exemplary. Abo, Po must commend my surgeon's skill and care tor giv- ing. Me a new tease on fife at my advanced age. ‘Thank you, Dr Kaye and ali involved! Edith Paxton North Vancouver Gare Your Complete Mechanical Repairs & Service. Specialists 183 Pemberton Ave. 985-7195 Westview Center | “Making Business Easier Worldwide” (Under New Ownership / Management} 103-2609 Westview Drive North Vancouver, V7N 4N2 * No physical contact 07. “4a: WANE waundnc Tel: 985-0154 ‘Ola « What do you get when you cross an aerobic workout with a karate class? You get Cardio Karate, which t atic Works music. ment and enengy) and sat with the best parts of Karate class (self-defense techniques like jabbing, punching and w). And the result such a fun and te is sweeping the nanont