IF you go down to the wocds today, Tony Webb — pictured here in Princess Park —- Says you'd better. not be surprised to see a black bear rcaming around looking for food. ear harm tro Katharine Hamer Contributing Writer A North Vancouver conservationist says it’s time we learned to live more peaceably with our furry friends. According to ‘Tony Webb up to 1,000 bears are killed every year in B.C. because they inconvenience humans. Webb sayy it’s a system that has to change. He says he has spent “years” fighting i in the bears’ corner and is dismayed by the attitude of his neighbours towards the lumbering, crea- tures. Last Monday, a conserva- tion officer was called to Princess Park to fay a trap for a two-year-old black bear thar had been frequenting the area looking for food. “fo hope (the bear} never comes back,” said Webb at the time, “because he'll ger killed.” The bear was shot later that day. Webb says he can under- stand people’s fear of bears. “Phey don’t mean any harm, but they can cause harm,” be said. “They're no longer afraid of humans.” But Webb deplores the actions of those who deliber- ately abuse the animals. “Someone threw a rock at (the bear in Princess Park),” he said. “They should count themselves lucky that) the bear didn’t charge and take them our.” Bear sightings in residen- tial, neighbourhoods have been increasing over the last few years — largely because the animals are attracted to the food and garbage lefi our by humans. Government advisories on “bear-proofing” homes haven't stopped people feed- ing the animals. As a result, over the summer, bears have been — spotced strolling through McCartney Creck in North Vancouver, munching bird seed fram a feeder in Deep Cove, and lounging outside the Ron Andrews recCentre. North Vancouver District councillors have expressed concern about conservation officers’ policy of shooting bears. Last month, council passed 4 resolution asking for claritication of existing gov- ernment policy for dealing with bears in residential areas, Currently, bears which cannot be moved are destroyed. This includes bears which are aggressive, wounded, sick or old, accus- tomed to human food or garbage, or too young to establish a new territory, Ifa bear can be drugged without injury or danger to conservation officers, it will be relocated. Webb, a wildlife activist who was) instrumental in establishing the Khutzeymateen grizzly bear sanctuary northeast of Prince Rupert, was so concerned about the bear fouse in Princess Park that he had offered to pay the $1,000 cost of relocating the animal himself. But senior Ministry of Environment conservation officer Jim Corbet said that bears that are relocated won't f | | I ubles necessanly fare any better than thase shot dead. “It appears to be a better option than ir actually is,” he said. “Bears are very territor- ial. li we move a bear, it may disrupt its new habitat or be kilied by a more dominant animal. “And if it has to leave the area, it usuaily makes its way back to where it came from — aften travelling up to 100 kilometres in hazardous con- ditions. It may not survive the winter because it hasn*t taken in enough calories.” Webb, who believes that “what you can understand, you can control,” thinks pco-_ ple need ta raise the level of public awareness about bears. In tandem with the North West Wildlife Preservation Society, Webb recently staged a lecture at Carisbrooke ele- mentary school in the hope that educating children about bears might help alter their parents” prejudicial views. “We're the problem,” said Webb. “We won't fet them fish for salmon, but we feed them scraps. Once they're habituated to garbage they'll come back looking for it.” Corbet agrees thar people are the biggest probiem. “If you're living in a bear habi- tat, it’s irresponsible to have a compast, open garbage, or fruit trees that the bear can reach.” Bears live in any forested or bushy area — making the North Shore prime territory. It is against the law to deliberately feed bears or any: other wildlife. Criminal charges and 2 $100 fine can be imposed on those found guilty. Proposed Development Plan for the Former Versatile Shipyards Public Display and Open House The former Versatile Shipyards site is a large waterfront property at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue in North Vancouver, with tremendous potential for urban development, pubiic waterfront access, historic building preservation, and contributing to the vitality Of Lower Lonsdale. An application for Official Community Pian amendment and rezoning has been submitted for the property, seeking approval for a redavelopment pian for the portion of the site beiween Lonsdale and St. Georges. This application is based on the conceptual plan for the site that was completed in iate 1997 and accepted by the land owner, the Vancouver Port Authority and the City of North Vancouver as a good basis for detalted planning and applications for approval. A display, including a model and drawings, is being set up to allow the community to review the proposed development concept. While the display is up, there will be times when the applicant team will be available to discuss the plan and answer questions. Location North Vancouver City Hall foyer, 141 West 14th Street. Public Display Dates From noon on 8 September 4999 until 4:30 p.m. on 16 September 1999. City Half Is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Open Houses (with applicant team members present) ’ Thursday, 9 September 1999 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 September 1999 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, 13 September 1999 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A questionnas ‘é will be provided to record your ideas and comments. Please visit the display and take advantage of this opportunity to provide input regarding the redevelopment of the Shipyards. For more infermation contact: Mr. Joost Bakker. Hotscn Bakker Architects, phone 255-1169. Mr. Gary Penway, Development Piariner, City of North Vancouver, shore 983-7382.