A bear chose the deck of a Duncan couple as its dwelling for the month of December. (Photo credit: Crystal Weaver)
A Duncan, B.C., couple recently had an unexpected visitor set up residence right beneath their deck along the picturesque Cowichan River. Accustomed to wildlife encounters in the area, the couple, Crystal Weaver and her partner Tyler, were taken aback when they discovered a sizable black bear had become an uninvited tenant.
The revelation came about when Crystal noticed her bulldog Coco behaving oddly for a couple of weeks, incessantly barking whenever she ventured onto the deck. Initially attributing it to typical dog reactions to neighbours or seagulls, her perception changed last Thursday night when she heard unusual banging noises outside.
Crystal recounted, "He [Tyler] was wide-eyed like he's not a huge fan of bears to begin with." Swiftly seeking safety, Tyler retreated as the bear, seemingly nonchalant about being discovered, resumed its slumber. Crystal promptly contacted conservation officers, who used loud noises to shoo the bear away. As of now, the couple has not encountered the bear again.
Following advice from conservation officers, Crystal and Tyler have taken measures to discourage a return, such as spreading cayenne pepper under the house to make the den less appealing. Additionally, they are in the process of erecting fencing to secure the area and have acquired flashlights and bear spray for added safety.
In an attempt to document the unique situation, Crystal captured a video, from a safe distance, with a conservation officer present. Sharing it on TikTok, where she usually posts videos of Coco, the clip unexpectedly went viral, amassing over four million views.
Reflecting on the unexpected attention, Crystal admitted, "It's so silly. To be honest, attention is a little bit weird." While not seeking social media fame, she hopes her experience serves as a lesson for others. Encouraging people to visit WildSafeBC for information on bear encounters, Crystal wants to dispel any notion that having a bear beneath your house is entertaining.
Aware of the dangers posed by habituating bears to human proximity, Crystal emphasized, "Don't feed bears. Don't let them get comfortable around you. They need to be afraid of us."
Discussing the unusual wildlife behaviour, Lisa Lopez, program manager at WildSafeBC, suggested that this year's warm winter might explain unexpected wildlife interactions. While rare, animals may venture into residential areas for various reasons, such as attraction to garbage or disturbance of their previous den.
Lopez highlighted the potential risks of having a bear in close quarters, posing threats to both pets and people. She emphasized the importance of not disrupting a bear's hibernation, as it can lead to stress and defensive behaviour. To prevent such situations, Lopez advised securing areas that could serve as cozy spots for winter and urged anyone encountering a similar scenario to contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
