Recreational users are advised that Anderson Beach is closed until further notice to all visitors due to the presence of a grizzly bear and a black bear sow with two cubs in the area.

The Anderson Beach Recreation Site, north of Squamish, has been closed since Aug. 2, 2014. This was prompted after several encounters with bears, which were attracted by the presence of human food and garbage.

It is critical the recreation site be free of these types of attractants for a period of time or the bears will start to permanently associate the site with food. Unfortunately, even short visits are potentially dangerous and will ultimately encourage the bears to stay in the area.

Signs have been posted in the area reminding people of the closure. The recreation site will remain closed until recreation officers have confirmed the bears have moved along.

A number of other excellent campsites farther up the Squamish River remain available and provide a range of recreation options. Levette Lake, which was closed earlier this month, has also reopened and now includes bear caches to help keep food secure. Unfortunately, regular flooding at Anderson Beach precludes the use of bear caches.

Squamish is one of a handful of designated Bear Smart communities, and has undertaken an extra level of commitment to mitigate conflict between people and wildlife. The Bear Smart Community program encourages local governments, businesses and individuals to work together to address the root causes of human-bear conflicts, reducing the risks to human safety and private property, as well as the number of bears that have to be destroyed each year.

Learn More:

Recreation Sites and Trails BC: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/

For more information on the Bear Smart Communities program, visit: www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/bearsmart

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261