White Pine Beach in Belcarra Regional Park has re-opened in time for a hot sunny weekend.
But beach-goers are asked to be careful with their food because the bear hasn’t yet been captured.
Metro Vancouver has confirmed the park re-opened Thursday but says the area is safe because the bear hasn’t returned to the area.
As long as people clean up after themselves, the bear should lose interest in returning to paw through people’s belongings for food.
“Everything is back to normal,” confirmed Sarah Lusk, spokesperson for Metro Vancouver, which operates the park.
The concession has re-opened and people can buy snacks, but they must dispose of all their leftover food, food containers and wrappers into the bear-proof garbage cans.
More park staff will be in the area to remind people to not leave food lying around.
“We’re asking people not to leave food unattended on the beach. Pack it in the car, ask a beach neighbor to watch it,” suggested Lusk. “We are asking people to dispose of all their garbage immediately in bear-proof garbage bins.”
Barbecues and grilling are not permitted.
A baited trap was removed after it failed to attract the young bear that was walking on the beach last weekend and going through people’s bags in search of food. The park was subsequently closed at 3 p.m. last Saturday.
Lusk confirmed that the park was re-opened based on conversations with BC Conservation Officers and a determination that the area was safe for the public
