A local non-profit housing agency is spending up to $15,000 on an initiative that could save the lives of bears in the Tri-Cities.
Affordable Housing Societies is working with the city of Port Coquitlam and wildlife advocacy groups on a plan that will lock up trash and recyclables and keep bruins from accessing waste.
“We’re supporting and working with the community to do everything in our power to save the bears,” said Martin Hufty, property manager for River Woods, a 111-unit non-profit housing complex at 2466 Gately Ave. in Port Coquitlam.
See more of what Port Coquitlam is doing about bears here.
Beginning this week, contractors will be building a chain-link fence enclosure with a roof and a self-closing door to house three large bins at River Woods.
Hufty said recycling carts have also been made bear-resistant with the addition of third locking bar to make it harder for the creatures to open.
The garbage enclosure comes without a hefty price tag but Hufty said it’s worth it if a few bears are saved.
Susan Zanders, founder of the BC Black Bear Society, welcomes the initiative and hopes other multi-family housing developments follow suit and make their waste bins inaccessible to bears.
“This is a solution that can make a real difference,” she said.
Port Coquitlam’s problem with bears came to Zander’s attention when she learned that six bears had been killed in Fox Park over one weekend in early December 2019. They were all attracted to garbage in the area and had become habituated.
Working with the society, the city of Port Coquitlam, and the Stop Animal Brutality group, a solution was found, Zanders said — one she hopes will be a model for others.
Meanwhile, the BC Conservation Officer Service also welcomes the garbage enclosure, and in an email to Zanders, noted that initiating these long-them changes in Port Coquitlam area will “assist greatly.”
PoCo is also increasing its fine for leaving garbage unsecured to $500 from $150.
