Black bear scratches man’s leg on North Vancouver trail

B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service is urging the public to avoid the Richard Juryn Trail network in North Vancouver’s Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve after a black bear scratched a man’s leg Monday.

Around 8 a.m., a man was walking solo along the Richard Juryn Trail when a bear followed him for “some time,” despite efforts to scare it away, according to a Facebook post from the Conservation Officer Service.

The bear then swiped at the man’s leg, scratching him. The man received a minor injury from the swipe, the Conservation Officer Service said. Conservation officers responded to the area, but no bear was seen.

The Richard Juryn Trail will stay closed for the rest of the week, a spokesperson with Metro Vancouver said Tuesday. Signage has been installed in the area. Conservation officers are continuing to investigate the incident.

Monday’s incident follows three other high-profile bear encounters in the Metro Vancouver area this month.

On Aug. 9, a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge was attacked by an adult black bear while playing on the deck of her family’s backyard. A parent stepped in and chased the bear away. At the time, the girl was sent to BC Children’s Hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Conservation officers also responded to a black bear biting a man outside his apartment complex last Sunday afternoon in Port Coquitlam, while a woman and her dog were injured during a confrontation with another black bear on the back deck of her home in Anmore Aug. 17. She was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Holly Reisner, executive director of the North Shore Black Bear Society, said it’s possible, but rare, that a black bear is predatory towards a person.

There are, however, several ways to prevent human-bear encounters, she said. If you see a bear on a trail you should stop, use a calm voice and back away from the animal, said Reisner.

“Your calm voice is saying, ‘I’m a human, I’m not threatening you,’ and you’re giving the bear space,” she said.

She also recommended staying in a group; being loud, particularly if you’re near running water; and keeping dogs on a short leash when out on the trail.

In the small chance a bear does continue towards you, she suggested having bear spray on hand, or stepping off the trail if there’s space.

It’s not uncommon to see a bear on a trail, Reisner said, as it’s easier for them than bushwhacking. So a bear “following” could simply mean they are using the same trail as the person, she said.

“Many times the bear will just continue past you on the trail where they were going,” she said.

Bear activity is on the rise in the District of North Vancouver.

The municipality posted online Tuesday that they’re seeing more bear activity across the district as bears continue to forage for food.

Natural food sources are scarce due to a below-average berry crop this year, forcing bears to seek other options. Wildfires could also be disrupting natural bear habitats, Reisner said.

The municipality is cautioning against planning a picnic or bringing unnecessary food into district parks or trails. But if you do bring food, don’t leave it unattended, don’t feed wildlife, and make sure you pack up everything you brought.

“By being extra vigilant with food in our parks, we can help keep wildlife wild and reduce the risk of human-bear conflicts,” the district said online.

At home, the district is reminding residents to securely store garbage and organic carts and only put them out on collection day, and rinse carts regularly to prevent strong smells.

Reisner said the North Shore Black Bear Society is going to be holding “pop-ups” this week in Lynn Canyon to share public education around bears.

Bear conflicts can be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. Tips and resources can be found on wildsafebc.com.

Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.