Get out of my forest
Letter
Monday, May 05, 2008
Letter writer Edna Becker warns us not to threaten Jeanie the bear with birth control because we are intruders in the bears' forest.
Just what saucer does she
reckon we recently hopped from and started stomping around scaring the earthlings?
The last time I checked, humans are native to this planet.
The way I see it, Jeanie can get her bear butt out of my forest.
Paul Schober, Vancouver
© The Vancouver Province 2008
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/letters/story.html?id=35a01647-09d1-48d0-b5a8-b1d275063ecd
A bitter pill
Letter
Monday, May 05, 2008
The idea of giving birth control to Jeanie, the black bear, has been discussed for a few years with members of our team on both sides of the argument.
There is no plan yet, and it is not something that would be done lightly
The idea of birth control for Jeanie arose several years ago, because she is known to get into conflict when she has cubs.
But, more importantly, we need to manage the other 100 or so bears that live in Whistler Valley.
Even that, like the birth-control option, is a much more complex issue than can be fairly and
accurately portrayed in a 10-inch newspaper article or a letter.
No one argues with the main solution, which is to control the garbage and other attractants.
The resort municipality of Whistler needs to step up to the plate and ensure that happens.
We do not have a fully bear-proof waste system at this time.
Please visit the Friends of Jeanie Facebook group discussion board to learn more: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7070496817.
Sylvia Dolson,
Get Bear Smart Society
© The Vancouver Province 2008
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/letters/story.html?id=3b404c1c-9b76-4637-a6fa-6bde04394acc
No big deal
Letter
Monday, May 05, 2008
Jeanie's situation is quite different from that of other habituated, urban bears.
She is the most photographed and oldest female bear in Whistler. Along with her cubs, she has been a valuable tourist asset and research subject for years.
One could say she's grown up with the resort. And now her antics are escalating whenever she has cubs.
Something must be done.
With cubs, Jeanie is not wanted by the wild bears on the mountain or in the village.
Without cubs, she can better fend for herself on the mountain and is more easily hazed from the village.
Jeanie has been trapped, tranquilized, tagged, weighed, shocked, chased by dogs and people, shot with rubber bullets as well as suffering many other indignities. So what is the big deal about an injection?
Hopefully, the next female bear that will displace Jeanie will be able to better co-exist with a more responsible and progressive human community.
Barbara Murray, Nanoose Bay
© The Vancouver Province 2008
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/letters/story.html?id=faccbf40-b974-419e-97a4-918e46a7b0a0