District of North Vancouver

Dear Mayor and Council,

As I await word from your Council the status of the proposal of Grouse Mountain to house orphan cubs in a large outdoor enclosure on a busy recreational mountain I have referenced a link to one of the most complete manuals of Bear Rehab in the world.

This bear rehab facility’s manual in Idaho has valuable contributions from the world’s leading bear rehabilitator and biologist Dr. John Beecham. Dr. Beecham knows both the Ontario and B.C. government licensed rehabilitation programs well and presently consults for IFAW on the grizzly orphan cub project at Northern Lights Wildlife Rehab Centre in Smithers. Ms Langen of Northern Lights has given presentations in the District of North Vancouver in 2005 and participated in the North Shore Spring Bear Festival in 2007. She is currently a director on the board of BC Rehabilitation Network and works on a special committee on bear rehab . The Smither’s facility can take over 20 bears with their current expansion and will accept cubs from anywhere in the province, if there is a need. In the 18 years of operation I do not believe they have had to euthanize one cub due to lack of space. They will however be very financially challenged this year as the economy in the North and across the province is not conducive to fundraising.

Please take a look at this manual and the many photographs that describe a well researched and planned orphan cub enclosure…. http://www.bearrehab.org/2008completehandbook.pdf

Sincerely,

Barbara Murray
Bear Matters