VIDEO: Why there’s no such thing as a bear-proof trash can or composter

KAMLOOPS – Bears and humans have a complex relationship.

On one hand, if you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you. Unfortunately every year eight to 800 bears are euthanized, often for becoming too habituated thanks to a constant supply of human food.

Frank Ritcey, the provincial coordinator of WildSafeBC, says everyone living in “bear country” should be using bear-resistant bins for garbages and compost. He says even bird seed attracts bears.

Manufacturing companies work in conjunction with WildSafeBC to develop these bear-resistant bins.

Every year WildSafeBC works to help certify bear resistant bins by testing them on real bears.

The bears are observed for one hour with the bin and timed to see how long it takes them to open it. Occasionally the bins last up to an hour, but have also been known to last only 15 seconds.

The bin that was tested today on two grizzly bears lasted for approximately 21 minutes.

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