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From: In Defense of Animals – takeaction [at] idausa.org
Date: Sep 27, 2007 3:05 PM
Subject: Writing Alert: Help protect bears

The Boulder Daily Camera published an opinion piece on IDA’s push to require Boulder residents to “bear proof” garbage receptacles after the killing of a bear in Boulder who violated the state’s “two-strikes” policy. The state policy mandates that any bear who has been relocated outside of the city once is killed if he returns. Many Colorado cities have ordinances in place requiring residents and businesses to bear proof garbage receptacles. Please write a letter to the editor of the Daily Camera: openforum [at] dailycamera.com.

Read “Caring for bears” online (free registration required)

Caring for bears
Protecting wildlife worth a little money and inconvenience

Clay Evans, guest editor
Thursday, September 27, 2007

What would you be willing to sacrifice to help prevent the tragic sacrifice of “nuisance” black bears who wander into human-inhabited areas of Boulder County? A little money? Some convenience?

Wildlife advocates from groups as diverse as Sinapu, the Sierra Club and In Defense of Animals are hoping we’ll at least consider a little of both. Following the latest killing of a roaming bear on Sept. 14 in eastern Boulder, they’ve asked the city to enact a law to punish citizens who leave unsecured, bear-attracting garbage cans at the curb.

It’s far too late to pass an ordinance this year, as bears soon will be heading back into the high country for a long winter’s nap. But now is exactly the right time for the city – and Boulder County, for that matter – to start the process of putting put some legal teeth into now-voluntary suggestions that people don’t lure bears into danger with trash, bird feeders and fallen fruit.

You can hardly blame bears for heading to where the living is (relatively) easy, particularly in a dry year when food is scarce. Unfortunately, under the state’s “two strikes” rules, bears caught more than once in town typically are shot and killed.

But we don’t know of a single Colorado Division of Wildlife officer who relishes that task. In fact, DOW supports ordinances that protect wildlife by mandating wiser human behavior. Colorado communities such as Pitkin County and Steamboat Springs have strong laws on the books requiring citizens to use wildlife-proof or wildlife-resistant receptacles for garbage, with violations punishable by stiff fines.

In fact, such laws are more complicated than they may seem on first consideration. For example, most waste-management firms now use semi-automated trucks and minimal staff for pickup, and wildlife-proof containers would need to be “unlocked.” A new law could mean retrofitting garbage trucks or requiring more personnel.

That, of course, would cost money to haulers, who likely would pass at least some of the costs on to customers.

But surely, economic concerns must yield at some point to our obligation to protect wildlife from our own carelessness. It’s no less true for being a cliché that the animals were here before we were.

Wildlife advocates understand that many questions have to be answered before the city – and again, the county, which governs a vast swath of bear habitat – can put bear-proofing laws into place. But we urge local officials to heed their call to start researching now, with an eye toward crafting a law before next year’s bear season.

In the meantime, as bears continue to pack on pre-hibernation pounds – they can consume up to 30,000 calories a day in preparation for a cold, meager winter – citizens can help them out voluntarily: It’s already a violation of city law to put trash out the night before pickup, and receptacles should be brought in as soon as possible after they are emptied. Also, clean up fruit that has fallen from trees and take down bird feeders, a notorious bear attractant.

Clay Evans, guest editor for the editorial board
2006 Daily Camera and Boulder Publishing, LLC.

You can use the information at www.vabear.org/bearfacts.html to help you draft your letter. Letters should be 300 words or less.

Sincerely,
Kristie Phelps
Communications Director

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with more than 85,000 members and supporters dedicated to ending the abuse and exploitation of animals by protecting their rights and welfare. IDA’s efforts include educational events, cruelty investigations, boycotts, grassroots activism, and hands-on rescue through our sanctuaries in Mississippi and Cameroon, Africa.

In Defense of Animals 3010 Kerner Blvd., San Rafael, California 94901 – P: (415) 388-9641 F: (415) 388-0388

email: idainfo [at] idausa.org

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Tagged: animals animal rights animal welfare action alerts ida in defense of animals bears black bears pests Boulder Daily Camera Boulder Colorado bear proof garbage wildlife conservation Sinapu the Sierra Club news in the news

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