More than 20 bears have been killed this year in Whistler making this year the deadliest for bears in more than a decade. 14 Bears have been put down by conservation officers in 2011, the most resent being just over a week ago. These are bears that repeatedly find themselves in populated areas or in conflicts with humans or human activities.
In addition to the 14 bears destroyed by the powers that be, 9 other bears have died from being hit by vehicles, and others are expected to have wandered into the woods to die after other unknown collisions (one such case is confirmed). This means that at least 24 bears have died this year from human-related incidences, and this is the highest number since 1999.
There are still bears out of hibernation in Whistler and if food sources, such as trash, are available then they won’t hibernate.
Total number of black bears killed in Whistler due to human-bear conflict
2011 (to date) – 14
2010 – 10
2009 – 0
2008 – 11
2007 – 13
2006 – 9
2005 – 2
2004 – 8
– – –
1999 – 19
