Editor:
Reading your article in the Oct. 06 issue leaves me with a feeling of sadness and disgust.
Again, another wild and magnificent animal has been destroyed because of careless human intrusion.
Bear spray probably would have prevented this encounter and given this animal another chance. Why was a certified guide, whose mandate is the safety of their clients, not carrying bear spray, especially during berry season, in an area known to be frequented by bears?
Is this common practice for the ACMG who operate in our national parks? Also, Hal Morrison stated that ‘He truly believed he was a big bear and could do anything he wanted to do.’ This comment only applies to misbehaving people and does not justify destroying what appears to have been a very intelligent and dominant bear trying to cope with survival in a fragmented natural habitat.
Unfortunately, this individual has now been removed from the genetic pool due to human negligence and our relentless devotion to tourism.
And the beat goes on, Parks Canada.
Bob Smerek,
Canmore
