As I stepped out into my backyard, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for my furry neighbors. For over 30 years, Gillian Sanders has been coexisting with black bears on her property in North Kootenay Lake area. She’s learned that by providing them with food-free zones and using electric fencing to deter them from areas we don’t want them to be, humans can peacefully share space with these magnificent creatures.
Sanders’ passion for bear coexistence led her to found Grizzly Bear Coexistence Solutions, a project dedicated to promoting harmony between grizzlies and rural residents in the Columbia Region. Her work has been instrumental in installing over 525 electric fences across the Kootenay region, reducing conflicts with bears by providing an effective deterrent.
But it’s not just about keeping humans safe; Sanders believes that coexisting with bears is a two-way street. She emphasizes that as long as we don’t present them with food, they are “very respectful” and easygoing neighbors. Her project provides 50-per-cent cost sharing for electric fencing to protect livestock or crops from bears.
As I walked through my own backyard, I couldn’t help but think about the devastating consequences of human-bear conflicts. Just recently, Nakoda and her cubs tragically lost their lives in a conflict with humans at Banff National Park. The loss was still “incredibly difficult” for parks staff who had spent countless hours monitoring Nakoda’s movements.
Sanders’ work is more crucial than ever as grizzly bears start venturing into low-elevation habitats where they’ve never been seen before. She believes that by providing them with safe passage through valley bottoms, we can enable these magnificent creatures to thrive without coming into conflict with humans.
As I look out at my own backyard, I’m reminded of the importance of respecting and coexisting with our furry neighbors. By working together and using simple yet effective measures like electric fencing, we can create a harmonious relationship between humans and bears that benefits both parties. It’s time for us to learn from Sanders’ expertise and take steps towards creating a safer, more bear-friendly environment for all of us.