In many jurisdictions in North America where bears are part of everyday life, it’s quite likely that residents are shaking their heads in wonder at the goings-on in our Bow Valley.
But in this valley, unlike in many jurisdictions, residents clearly feel they have a more vested interest in local bruins – viewing them as so much more than trophies to be hunted or as livestock killing predators to be feared, despised and eliminated, for example.
In fact, we feel it’s probably safe to say that for many, wildlife such as our bears is one of the major draws to living here in the Bow Valley; much like many visitors arrive with the hope of viewing wildlife they will never see at home.
It’s no wonder, then, that the plight of grizzly bear 148 has touched a chord with so many inhabitants.
The trouble is, as with so many Bow Valley issues, there are several sides of it and there seems to be little ground between them.
In no particular order, today’s stances on living with bears in the Bow Valley include: Mayor John Borrowman’s calling for input from local, provincial and federal levels of government and community members to look at a better path forward for both wildlife and people, including discussions on human use; Y2Y calling on the province to lead an assessment on current and future development as to effects on wildlife; letter writers who wish 148 could have been left to her own devices; a man she bluff charged while out with his daughter and dog hoping nothing negative happened to her; provincial wildlife officials who seem to prefer any bear deemed a problem be quickly removed; Parks Canada wildlife managers who believe bears should be left alone to live as bears do and wildlife and environmental advocates who believe valley residents and visitors must do more to live in harmony with bears.
On the other hand, there was the former CP Rail spokesperson, new in the position at the time, who wondered if Outlook staff would call every time a bear was struck and killed on the tracks. The short answer was “yes ...”
There is also the recent letter writer who believes Outlook staff is composed of aliens attempting to influence people’s lifestyles and sway public opinion in favour of forcing people to carry bearspray while keeping them from enjoying life in the mountains.
There are those who are reaching the point of handwringing in regards to what can be done to have valley residents living safely with wildlife while staying out of their way, and those who continue to recreate in wildlife corridors, with or without their off-leash dogs.
There are those who calmly packed up and moved out of Canmore’s Quarry Lake area when 148 was in the area, and there are those who routinely ignore closure tape and bear in area signage in pursuit of their self interest.
At this point, Borrowman’s idea of bringing many groups and politicians to the table in regard to living with wildlife and how to do so safely moving forward seems like an obvious and good idea.
But, as many Bow Valley residents know, studies, hearings, hosting open houses and forums and other such information gathering initiatives often end up going nowhere.
Witness the Parks Canada/CP Rail initiative to study bear mortality in relation to the train tracks running through this valley. After $1 million spent on gathering information over several years relative to the issue, little substantial has happened.
