The Editor,
Re. "Man attacked, bear killed" (The Tri-City News, Aug. 10).
I am dismayed by the bear shooting in Anmore as a result of its attack on one of its residents. I understand why it was done but feel bewildered that we continue to create situations in which bears "need" to be shot.
Even Ken Hogue, the gentleman who was attacked, felt sad about it.
Not only do we continuously encroach on their habitat by building further and further up the mountain but, additionally and to my disbelief, Anmore has yet to implement bear-proof bins. With the tremendous social and environmental issues we face, surely bear-proof garbage cans are an easy fix to a potentially fatal issue. But no.
That relocated bear didn't stand a chance and, as a result, three orphaned bear cubs now have to be reared by a non-profit society. Thank goodness at least such a facility exists.
Ironically, I then flipped a few pages to learn about Coquitlam's newest "Green Can" curbside composting program, in which residents buy their own bin to which they attach a corresponding sticker the city provides. Wow, a sticker to put on your own, personally bought, non bear-proof, cheap plastic garbage can.
Has Coquitlam not seen the bins provided by the cities of Port Moody and Port Coquitlam? Are the issues not obvious?
First, how successful does Coquitlam really want curbside composting to be if proper compost bins are not provided to its residents? Second, thank you Coquitlam council, for creating a waste-diversion scheme that further lures wildlife and potentially puts their lives and human lives at risk - just like in Anmore.
Jennifer Rodriguez, Port Moody
