How the City of Coquitlam manages its bears and its people

When it comes to living in harmony with bears, Coquitlam, B.C., can be looked to as an example.

Residents of the city are close neighbours with the local black bear population, andthe people andanimals generally live well together, saysJulie Kanya,Coquitlam'surban wildlife coordinator.

Kanyasaid the harmonious relationship is due to the city's commitment to being a "bear smart community."Residents can go to the city's website and make a pledge to make their family a "bear smart family."

Being bear smart means reducing human/wildlife conflict by minimizing wildlife attractants, said Kanya.

"What we are trying to do is make sure our residents don't allow bears to get any food award at their property," said Kanya.

"Really they're just doing what wild animals do they're looking for easy food sources."

Coquitlamresidentscan be fined up to $500 for not managing their waste correctly and the city hasproduced a series of videos about being bear smart.

The fine and the municipal commitmentis key when trying to live harmoniously with nature, saysBryce Casavant aformer conservation officerwho made headlines in 2015 when hewas suspended for refusing to kill two black bear cubs near Port Hardy, B.C.

Casavantrecently released a report about public trust in wildlife law enforcement. He is also working on aPhD, examining howhumans co-exisitwith wildlife.

A study out of the U.S. concerning black bears and humans recently found that education campaigns alone aren't enough, said Casavant.

'Slip into old habits'

He said the study suggested bylaws need to be established and enforced to keep residents in line.

"After a period of time we sort of slip into our old habits and we don't really listen and we do what we want anyway," said Casavant.

"Without active enforcement, the public really doesn't just comply over time."

Casavantsaid living with bears and otherwildlife issimple. The public must expect and be prepared for encounters with wildlife, he said. The publichas a responsibility to be informed about wildlife, and government has a responsibility tokeep people informed and to enforce rules.

The City of Coquitlamdoesall these things well, he added.

With files from Lisa Christiansen

Read more from CBC British Columbia

Urban Jungle is an ongoing series running on CBC Radio One's On the Coast from July 6 to August 31. The series willexplore smart ways to live in harmony with urban wildlife.