Garbage Brings Bears to Alberta's Oilsands Region, 145 Shot By Wildlife Officers
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development says 145 black bears were killed by Fish and Wildlife conservation officers last year after being habituated to garbage in the oilsands region. The number of bears shot in the Fort McMurray district was nearly three times the count the previous year and the highest in recent history, said spokesman Darcy Whiteside. Nearly half — 68 bears — were shot in oilsands camps and facilities after being attracted to the camp by food, garbage or other attractants, Whiteside said Tuesday. Another 51 were shot on
residential properties.
residential properties.
No individual or company was charged with improper storage of food or
other attractants, Whiteside said. Environment and wildlife conservation groups
were outraged by the number of black bear killings. They immediately blamed the
deaths on lax garbage management and a lack of proper monitoring and regulation
by the provincial government. “It’s a very disturbing fact to hear and it’s one
more cost of oilsands development that we need to look at,” said Mike Hudema of
Greenpeace.
“The fact that these numbers are so high is definitely very worrying,”
Hudema said. Alberta Wilderness Association conservation specialist Carolyn
Campbell said it suggests Albertans are far from using best practices “or even a
modern attitude” toward wildlife management. “There needs to be much more
responsible behaviour by companies running these camps to really get serious
about reducing food and other attractants. . . . The attitude of ‘attract them,
feed them and then shoot’ them is really repugnant to most Albertans.”
An unavoidable by-product of needed energy development, or sloppy,
irresponsible refuse management?
other attractants, Whiteside said. Environment and wildlife conservation groups
were outraged by the number of black bear killings. They immediately blamed the
deaths on lax garbage management and a lack of proper monitoring and regulation
by the provincial government. “It’s a very disturbing fact to hear and it’s one
more cost of oilsands development that we need to look at,” said Mike Hudema of
Greenpeace.
“The fact that these numbers are so high is definitely very worrying,”
Hudema said. Alberta Wilderness Association conservation specialist Carolyn
Campbell said it suggests Albertans are far from using best practices “or even a
modern attitude” toward wildlife management. “There needs to be much more
responsible behaviour by companies running these camps to really get serious
about reducing food and other attractants. . . . The attitude of ‘attract them,
feed them and then shoot’ them is really repugnant to most Albertans.”
An unavoidable by-product of needed energy development, or sloppy,
irresponsible refuse management?
