With the number of bear sightings increasing Redwood Meadows has amended its animals control bylaw to prevent residents from feeding wild animals.
The Townsite of Redwood Meadows recently passed the Redwood Meadows Animal Control Bylaw, which went into effect May 2, prohibiting residents from feeding animals with animal attractants, such as human food, waste, salt licks and pet food.
It also bans residents from placing and storing birdfeed outdoors between April 1 and Oct. 31 each year.
Redwood Meadows resident Baruch Laskin, who is part of the Greater Bragg Creek AnimalSmart Program, helped the Redwood Meadows council update its existing animal control bylaw.
“We are taking a proactive approach before a child, adult or pet is mauled or killed by a cougar or bear in our community,” said Laskin. “It is not a matter of if someone is going to get hurt; it is a matter of when.”
In the last two years, the feeding of wild animals by Redwood Meadows residents has resulted in dire consequences for bears.
“Four bears have been destroyed in the last two years in Redwood Meadows as a direct result of residents feeding wild animals,” said Laskin.
Fish and Wildlife officer Ken Mackay said if Redwood Meadows residents would reduce the amount of food attractants in their community, the odds of provincial animal control officers having to destroy bears would be lowered.
“If people take the proper diligent practices, there should be no need to ever destroy a bear in the community,” said Mackay. “(But) bears are large predators, and though it is rare, maulings and fatalities do occur.”
Redwood Meadows mayor John Welsh said the townsite passed the bylaw because many Redwood Meadows residents fed wildlife.
“As a townsite we approached these residents and asked them to stop feeding the wild animals and they flatly refused,” said Welsh. “Residents refused to help solve the problem, so the townsite had no other choice but to put rules in place to help people understand how important it is not to feed the wildlife.”
The fine for the first offence is $100 and the fine for following offences is $200.
Laskin said he suggested the townsite adopt animal control bylaws similar to what exists in Canmore, Banff, and Elkford, B.C. Redwood Meadows townsite council elected to revise their existing animal control bylaw.
“Passing a bylaw is enough according to the other communities that have similar bylaws,” said Welsh. “I hope we don’t have to give anyone a ticket.”
Welsh said the townsite plans to assign staff or committee members to help educate residents.
“We plan to send someone out to educate individuals who are violating the bylaw, and tell them why we have the bylaw in place,” said Welsh. “These people generally are animal lovers, but they do not understand that they are putting animals in harms way by feeding them.”
Laskin said the bylaw is the first step in educating residents, and he hopes to expand the program beyond Redwood Meadows to the hamlet of Bragg Creek and surrounding areas.
“We want a safe educated community where residents can live harmoniously with wildlife,” said Laskin. “That is what we are trying to achieve.”
If a bear or other wildlife is a public safety concern, call the local Fish and Wildlife office at 310-0000 or, if after regular business hours, call the Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
For more information about bear safety visit bearsmart.alberta.ca.
