‘Decimated the specialty poultry’: Maple Ridge farm invaded by black bears – BC
Maple Ridge farmers are warning of an increase in bears that have “destroyed their specialty poultry.”
Pascal Shaw runs Rainbow Eggs Farm in the Warnock district, where bears destroyed fences and poles, reducing the chicken population from 80 to 100 to one chicken and chick. It says.
She explained that 30 or 40 were destroyed by bears and the rest were hastily sold or given away.
“They come day and night and don’t leave us alone,” Shaw told Global News on Friday. “They attacked five different farms on our road.”
Shaw said the BC Conservation Service (COS) was aware of the problem, set up cameras nearby and spotted eight bears within 30 minutes. She said she was never informed of the outcome by the COS.
She said she had third-party knowledge of the information but was not offered assistance to address the matter.
In an emailed statement, the COS only confirmed that it had received numerous reports of bears approaching livestock, especially chickens, at Maple Ridge and surrounding farms.
“Conservation officials are working with local farmers on mitigation techniques to minimize the loss of livestock to bears and other predators,” the paper said.
“It is impossible for COS to create predator-free zones. Farmers are responsible for taking appropriate measures to protect their livestock from wild animals.”
Shaw, meanwhile, said he was waiting for permission to set up an electric fence around the remaining livestock and cut down trees to fence off the entire property. She also guards her garden with a paintball gun.
“I’m really scared to go out in my garden,” Shaw said. “It’s scary how nothing is done about the influx of bears entering our area.”
She added that Rainbow Eggs Farm has two dogs, a goat and a “guardian llama.” In her 12 years there, the Bears had never caused such a problem.
Ms Shaw’s neighbor Charna Chan also said the bears have been visiting her many times.
She also guards the cabin with paintball guns and installs an electric fence. But one bear in particular is now “accustomed to being attacked with paintball guns,” meaning it’s a deterrent.
“She jumped over the fence and tried to enter my main cabin, but she couldn’t do it either. She teaches the cubs how to do it. told Global News. “She needs her move or something because she knows she has free food here and she’s educating her baby.”
Chan said he caught the bear on his home camera, which took about an hour to feed as it tried to enter the shed.
“I don’t hate this bear, it’s trying to live. That’s true, but we already know there are too many free meals in the area.”
Neither woman wants to see the bear hurt, nor do they blame the bear for the invasion.
The COS said it was educating local farmers on how to best manage their livestock, including how to confine chickens, how to use guardian dogs and how to install electric fences. It also takes proactive actions to prevent human-wildlife conflicts, adding that it is working with citizens and farmers to reduce the presence of bear-attracting materials.
“COS continues to monitor bear activity in the area and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety,” it said.
“At this time, there are no reports of bears engaging in aggressive behavior towards people in connection with these incidents.”
In an emailed statement, the city of Maple Ridge said it has communicated concerns about bears in the Warnock region to the BC COS North Fraser region and advised the public. Please report all sightings through the COS website.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
