Blueberry farmers and bears go together like blueberries and pie, and for the most part, it's a harmonious relationship, says Sid Kwantes.
The farmer has taken over his father-in-law's holdings on Oliver Road and says bears come with the territory, although he does his best to discourage them. He has erected electric fencing, although bears still dig their way in, and he stores his garbage in a locked shipping container.
"You try to do what you can," he says. "As you know, you're going to have conflicts with native life, it's part of what makes Canada."
He's more concerned about humans who are drawn to the area near Minnekhada Regional Park to watch and photograph bears. They park along the road to watch the beasts and he fears there will be a conflict one day and someone could get hurt.
"Common sense is in short supply sometimes."
Park officials are also concerned and will shut down the park early if people continue to congregate, according to Metro Vancouver parks biologist Alison Evely.
Evely also encourages people to travel in groups if they choose to walk in the park or along the dikes during the summer and fall bear season. "People should be keeping their distance," she said. "What we don't want to see is people approaching bears."
As a known bear haunt, Minnekhada has taken several steps to make the park safer. Bear-proof garbage bins have been installed and signs go up warning people when bears are in the area.
