Dozens of residents rallied in Revelstoke Monday afternoon after nine bears were killed by conservation officers over the span of three days last week.
READ MORE: CO’s kill 9 bears in 3 days in Revelstoke
The protestors walked from downtown Revelstoke to city hall and back, holding signs saying ‘Stop killing’ and ‘Save a bears, secure your garbage!’
The rally was meant to be a ‘wake-up call’ according to organizers — calling on other residents to be bear aware and the city to increase enforcement against people not managing their garbage and other attractants.
The group also wants the city to invest in bear proof garbage bins.
Revelstoke’s acting mayor said the city is taking action to control bear attractants.
Trevor English said the city is doing more public education, has increased hours for bylaw officers so they can step-up enforcement of garbage rules and is considering removing some city owned fruit trees.
“We want to try to do anything that we can to minimize these conflicts with bears. It’s just a really sad thing that has happened, but ultimately the safety of the public has to be our biggest concern,” said English.