Bears, mostly, are territorial (polar bears aren't). Especially the sows. So when you drop the new kid into an established bear's territory, the newcomer gets out of Dodge pretty quick and heads back to where the pickings are easy. And once they've made themselves a habitual nuisance, the only option left, unfortunately is a bullet (or several, often, when it's the cops who have to do it). Not enough zoos or wildlife parks to accomodate all the bears who lose their legitimate fear of our predatory species.

Bears have become an increasing nuisance around here in the last several years. Many blame it on the provincial banning of the spring bear hunt, but I suspect the truth includes other factors: encroachment, increased trash containing wasted food items, milder winters and productive summers... It is nothing to see a bear wandering down our suburban streets or even our paved downtown areas.