We have problems with fed bears here in Estes too. There were a couple of growing cubs on my deck this summer going after the hummingbird and other feeders. (That makes me part of the problem, doesn’t it?) Unfortunately, one figured out how to jump up and pull the bottom off the feeders, while I use a ladder to put them in place. (Got a reasonably good photo through the window as he prepared for his jump.) It was a big jump too. Couldn’t believe it! That stopped the bird feeding for a while. They didn’t come back. As you know, bears are also very clever at opening garbage cans and town dumps sure don’t help, as they learned in Yellowstone a long time ago. I was glad Burns covered the issue in his series. We just don’t report our sightings up here where I live outside of Estes. After all, we are living in their home. We have to be sure to keep doors and low windows closed and that can be tricky with no air conditioning.

I liked DOWs response to the aggressive elk on the golf course here — tranquilizing him and sawing off the antlers instead of killing him. No similar solution for the bears.

I agree, we found out how effective it is making it illegal to shoot the “white coloured” bears. I’m surprised there isn’t more protection for them in BC, given the small, but consistent populations found on the coast there.

Thanks again for the update. I’m disappointed the Board didn’t take action to protect these rare and beautiful animals.

You right, I did point a critical figure at Thor, although he was the one that shot and killed the bear.

Suggesting it “sounds like” he had friends with Fish and Game may have been an unprofessional comment made because of my emotions at the time, but it clearly wasn’t “complete libel”.

To be libel, the comment needs to either expressly state or imply to be factual. Using words like “sounds like” doesn’t meet that burden of proof IMO.

In addition, the statement needs to give an individual a negative image. I don’t believe having friends at Fish and Game is a negative – I hope not, as I do. The negative issue was the shooting the bear – whether that was the correct action can be debated, but I don’t think anyone claims he didn’t shoot the bear.

Bear / trash issues have been ignored for too long, and seem to becoming more prevalent – we have a similar situation in Seward. I completely agree, much more needs to be done in this area.

Thanks again for the comment,

Ron

Alaska Board of Fish and Game unanimously voted to reject the proposal to expand the definition of ‘Glacier Bear’, which would make the law protecting them more enforceable. Members on the board stated that they were frustrated in Skagway’s inability to come to a ‘compromise’ on the issue.

Also, I would like to add a note in defense of Thor. In your article you point a very critical finger in his direction, even suggesting that he had ties within the Dept. of Fish and Game (which is, of course, complete libel). While he may have shot what the community had reguarded as the spirit bear, he claims that he did so in defense of property. It can debated on whether that was the correct choice of action, but it is clear that many of Skagway’s resident bears have become aggressive. This is in part due to their easy access to garbage and habituation to humans. If Skagway truly intends to protect future glacier bears in the region, it must take action to bear-proof waste, and educate the public on proper garbage handling. I certainly hope that Thor will help lead skagway towards bear-safe waste management.

By the way Ron, Fantastic Pictures from your trip in Utah!!

Thanks,

Ron

I will immediately send letters to the Alaska Board of Game about this issue. Plus I’m contacting the ‘Alaska Wildlife Alliance’ to try to organize a campaign to protect these rare Spirit and Glacier bears.

And to all bear conservationists on this site, please feel free to contact me at cagq64@hotmail.com… I would love to get your ideas and perspectives on this issue; especially from local people in Skagway and southeast Alaska.

Thanks. Carlos Garza, Houston, TX (formerly of Anacortes, WA).

I’m on the road right now, so not as much help as I might be, but that is a good question. There are some great groups in Alaska.

I think the best place to start is with the Alaska Board of Game. They tend to be very pro-hunting, but they are the ones that attempted to pass regulations to protect the last Spirit Bear. It is exciting to hear of a new one, and hopefully they would be willing to try to protect this unique bear as well.

Thanks,

Ron

Do you know if there is a conservation group anywhere that supports the protection of Glacier Bears? I’d love to join in and help in any way I can. Even though I don’t live in Alaska, I still consider these rare bears an AMERICAN treasure and am willing to do my best to support their conservation.

Like Ron said, with so many black bears available to hunters I can’t understand why they have to kill the extremely rare Glacier/Spirit bear in Alaska. Canada protects these rare bears, why can’t the US do the same?

Also, can anyone post the name and info of the elected officials in Alaska, and Skawgay? We should start a letter campaign to support the hunting ban of these magnificent bears.

Thanks, Carlos.

Thanks for the update.

I agree, it is two different issues. garbage bears are a problem all over Alaska, but Glacier Bears are something very unique. There are so many bears available to hunters, I don’t understand the opposition to protecting such a special population.

Thanks again, and keep me posted.

Ron

The only true concensus reached at the meeting was that Skagway has a bear/garbage problem, and that that is the foremost important issue facing the town. Unfortunately, the Glacier bear cub seen in Skagway is already addicted to garbage, as its mother has taught it and its two siblings to feed from garbage cans. There is also belief that people in town have been feeding the bears. A fed bear is a dead bear.

However, as was discussed at the meeting, this is a seperate issue than that of protecting future Glacier Bears from hunting. There were two dominant opinions represented at the meeting: One advocating that Glacier Bears, being unique to SE Alaska, and rarely seen in the Skagway valley held significant value to viewers and observers and should be ‘allocated’ to the viewers in that respect. The other side advocating that hunters have already had too many infringements on their rights to hunt, or, as it was gracefully stated, “the environmentalists” are “pissing on their cheerios”.

This meeting does not signal the end of this conflict. It is now time for anyone interested in the issue to write letters to the board of game voicing their opinion.

“Conservation is sometimes perceived as stopping everything cold, as holding whooping cranes in higher esteem than people. It is up to science to spread the understanding that the choice is not between wild places or people, it is between a rich or an impoverished existence for man.” – Thomas E. Lovejoy

I didn’t realize there was a Glacier bear cub seen in the Skagway area, that is awesome! I would love to see this bear protected so that others could enjoy seeing such a unique animal for years to come. I know I will never forget the day I saw the Glacier Bear.

Thanks for sharing. If you don’t mind, it would be great if you could post the outcome of the meeting on Saturday if there is one.

Thanks a lot!

Ron

As a Student of Skagway School, I am highly interested in this issue. Because of the new Glacier bear cub that has been sighted in Skagway, it is an issue of immediate importance.

There will be a community forum this Saturday to discuss a change in regulation to adequately protect white-phased black bears in the Skagway Borough. The center of the discussion (I am predicting) will be over ‘resource allocation’. Should Glacier Bears (resource) be ‘allocated’ to hunters, or to viewers/observers/photographers/artists/etc ? You may be very interested in following the outcome of this meeting. It has the potential to set policy for the state of Alaska.

In my personal opinion, every person derserves the right to cherish this incredible creature. For the youth of Skagway, these rare, inspirational, and hope bringing animals are part of our future. They help make our home special. I have never seen a Glacier Bear in Skagway. All students have seen the photos- few have seen the bear itself. This is a ‘resource’ that should belong to more than just hunters. Non-hunters should have the right to enjoy these animals as well.

Thanks for sparking conversation on this topic. It is a vitally important one.

Ron

We in Elkford BC, also had a spirit bear come to our town this fall. It does fill you with awe and the driven need to protect it.

Thanks for the email Ron.

Kathy