Bear refuge debate
Black bears are central to a District of North Vancouver debate.
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Updated: October 28, 2009 12:56 PM
Bear experts and advocates were split Thursday night (Oct. 15) during a public meeting on the proposed Southwest BC Orphan Bear Refuge Society plan which would set up an 80-acre site on Fromme Mountain for young black bears.
On one side were bear rehabilitation experts, advocates, biologists and opposition MLA Scott Fraser arguing against the proposal.
Against them were Ministry of Environment scientists, wildlife experts from Grouse Mountain Resorts and Gail Martin, founder and executive director of Critter Care Wildlife Society — which is a partner in the refuge.
The plan calls for 52 acres of District of North Vancouver land and 28 acres of land owned by Grouse Mountain to build the refuge on. Orphaned black bears would spend part of their recovery there before being released back to the wild.
Located east of the resort on Fromme Mountain, the refuge would only be accessible by Mountain Highway although there are hiking and mountain biking trails nearby. A non-profit society would operate the refuge with help from Grouse staff. The proposal has received approval from the provincial government which has earmarked $400,000 towards setting up the refuge. All that is needed is the land commitment from the district, and on Thursday councillors were seeking input from the project’s supporters, detractors and residents during the public meeting.
Biologist David Cook spoke against the proposal, saying, “I have walked the proposed area ... it can’t sustain bears without human assistance.”
Cook added there isn’t enough berry growth in the area, no suitable den sites and a lack of water for the bears. “Let the forest get on with its own management,” he added.
Barb Murray, bear advocate and former North Van resident, also opposed the project, asking, “what’s wrong with the current model” of rehabilitation centres?
She also questioned why the B.C. government is supporting Grouse Mountain when existing bear rehabilitation centres operate without support from the province. While Martin said current rehabilitation methods have worked, the proposed refuge will be an added resource for the bears, who quickly outgrow the smaller enclosures currently available.
“I can’t say the project will be a success, (but) I can promise you if this project does succeed ... we will have given (the bears) the opportunity to enrich their own lives,” Martin said.
Grouse Mountain Refuge’s managing director Ken Macquisten answered questions about the black bear refuge’s location, purpose and fencing.
“This whole project is designed to give orphaned black bear cubs ... a good place to live for almost a year,” Macquisten said. “This is a novel idea ... it’s about giving them the biggest cage we can.”
Macquisten added the refuge would allow the bear cubs to transition from primary care from Martin’s operation to eventual release back into the wild.
The location on Fromme Mountain is secluded, but is easily accessible by Grouse staff via Mountain Highway, Macquisten said.
While critics have argued that the nearby trails will habituate bears to humans, Macquisten said the bears would be kept in and interlopers out by an electric fence similar to one protecting campers from grizzly bears at Lake Louise.
“These bears are only boarding here until they can be released to where they came from,” Macquisten said. He added the Ministry of Environment is also interested in using the refuge to study bear activity, including denning habits.
dpi@northshoreoutlook.com
