A black bear in Burnaby will be destroyed after raiding picnics, despite an online petition urging relocation instead of lethal action.
Viral Incident at Burnaby Mountain Park
A black bear in Burnaby made national headlines after a video of it raiding a picnic spread across social media on August 31. The footage, filmed by Upansa and Divyanshu Chaubisa, showed the animal calmly approaching a large group of people before eating unattended food. No one was injured, but the close encounter left many parkgoers shaken.
Conservation Officers Take Action
Provincial conservation officer Kent Popjes confirmed the bear had been reported on three consecutive days for similar behaviour before the viral incident. Popjes said the animal has lost its natural fear of humans, which poses a significant safety concern. A live trap has been placed in Burnaby Mountain Park, and if caught, the bear will be destroyed.
Community Pushes for Alternative
In response, Burnaby resident Kateryna Kurdyuk launched an online petition calling for the bear to be relocated rather than killed. The petition argues that the bear has shown no aggression and is simply navigating shrinking natural habitat. Supporters are urging the province to explore wildlife corridors and long-term coexistence strategies.
Safety and Human Responsibility
Conservation officers maintain relocation is not an option for a bear that actively seeks food from people. They are urging the public to take preventative steps, such as removing bird feeders, securing garbage, and never leaving food unattended in parks. Officials say human behaviour plays a crucial role in preventing bears from becoming habituated to people.
Larger Issue of Habitat Loss
The debate underscores a broader challenge in Metro Vancouver, where urban expansion continues to encroach on bear habitat. While residents call for compassion and long-term solutions, conservation officers emphasize immediate public safety concerns must come first.
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