With most people locked inside, spring wildlife is getting more room to roam than ever before.
That’s according to the local animal rights group The Fur-Bearers, which says increased social isolation for humans during the COVID-19 pandemic means more wildlife wandering into our urban spaces.
That matters in the Tri-Cities, where, last year alone, 30 bears were killed due to conflict issues.
In an effort to make sure people take a collective responsibility, The Fur-Bearers have launched a #StashYourTrash campaign just as bears are emerging from hibernation. Through stashyourtrash.ca, individuals can browse a list of attractants found around the home and business. The site includes information on how to stay safe outdoors, review bylaws from different municipalities and explore scientific research about human-wildlife coexistence.
In addition, the website encourages people to sign their name to a pledge that indicates their commitment to keeping human food out of the paws of wildlife. It’s designed to add an element of friendly competition, pitting one community against another in a contest over which is the best steward of nature.
“We’re implementing a feature that will allow us to display how many residents from different communities have taken the pledge and will be announcing the winning municipality weekly,” said spokesperson Michael Howie.
“This kind of friendly competition can also help show that the more people who take the pledge to ‘#StashYourTrash’, the more of our wild neighbours we can protect.”
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Read more about bears in the Tri-Cities:
Body cams, more oversight for conservation officers, says group upset over B.C. bear killings
Higher fines in Port Moody will help save bears says neighbourhood champion
They decide bears' fate. Who decides theirs?
