Four black bears captured in Griffith Woods/Discovery Ridge area euthanized

3 bears were caught in Griffith Woods Park Friday morning. Bear activity has caused Alberta Fish and Wildlife to close parts of Griffith Woods Park until Oct.28 (Photo: Twitter/@FWEnforcement)

Alberta Fish and Wildlife has euthanized four black bears that were causing problems in Griffith Woods Park and parts of Discovery Ridge.

An official with Fish and Wildlife confirmed the decision to CTV News Monday afternoon.

Fish and Wildlife had been tracking a sow and three cubs last week, and captured all four by Friday.

On Monday, Fish and Wildlife said daily calls had been coming in about the bears' activity in the area.

"The bears were heavily food-conditioned, and had been spotted getting into garbage for over four weeks," a Fish and Wildlife official said.

"Food-conditioned bears associate people with food, which poses a serious risk to public safety as the association of people with food can lead to people being hurt by hungry bears."

Euthanizing the bears was in accordance with the black bear response guide, Fish and Wildlife said.

"The Government of Alberta does not take this action lightly, but feels it is the best decision, to both prevent future conflict and public safety concerns while encouraging best practices that will allow people and bears to co-exist in the future," the official said.

"Several factors lead to the decision to euthanize a bear rather than taking other options, such as relocating it."

The black bear response guide Fish and Wildlife spoke of is available online for the public to read, here.

The bears’ activity was attributed to the season, as bears try to store up enough fat to make it through the winter. That often results in conflict with humans as they seek out unsecured food sources like garbage and compost bins, bird feeders, pet food and ornamental fruit-bearing trees.

Fish and Wildlife offered the following bear-smart strategies for residents to follow:

• Store garbage in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers or buildings until it can be removed from your property;
• Don't leave pet food outside or stored in areas accessible to bears;
• Avoid using bird feeders from April 1 to Nov. 30;
• Clean barbecues and outdoor eating areas after use;
• Store smokehouses and animal carcasses, including bones, hides and waste, in bear-resistant buildings away from people;
• Properly maintain or remove gardens and fruit-bearing trees or shrubs;
• Consider using an indoor composter;
• Aerate outdoor compost piles frequently and cover these with soil or lime; and
• Don't put meat, fish, oils and milk products in compost piles.