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Bear euthanized in Summerland

Incident on May 25 occurred in area of Victoria Road South
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A black bear in the Victoria Road South area was euthanized on Thursday evening.

The incident occurred after Summerland RCMP received a report of a bear in the residential area on Victoria Road South at around 6 p.m.

Police attended and observed the bear in the area.

Tobe Sprado, inspector with the Conservation Officer Service, said the black bear was euthanized that evening.

Police said the bear was identified as a problem bear, following prior calls. In addition, Sprado said the bear had killed two lambs in the Dale Meadows area.

He added that the conservation officers had received reports about the bear in the area over the past few days.

This is the seventh black bear report in Summerland during the month of May.

Sprado said the number of bear sightings is typical for this time of year.

He said attractant management could reduce the number of bear sightings. Garbage put out the night before collection and bird feeders near homes both serve to attract bears, Sprado said.

In addition, some bears have been attracted by animals in the area. In addition to Thursday’s incident, conservation officers have received a complaint from a Garnett Valley Road resident, where a bear had been preying on chickens.

Sprado urges those with animals to set up electric fencing to prevent bear attacks.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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