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The 180

Careless camping endangers bears

When you're out in the woods, hiking along alpine lakes, and sleeping under the stars, you probably feel at one with nature. But outdoors enthusiast Taryn Eyton says if you're not smart, you're an enemy of nature. Even a bear killer.
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Garibaldi Lake, near Squamish B.C., is visited often by campers and hikers who in Taryn Eyton's opinion are careless with garbage and food. (Karl Woll)
The 1802:00Careless camping endangers bears

"Dear hikers and campers, you're killing bears."

That's the message outdoor enthusiast Taryn Eyton has for nature lovers who leave trash and food spills at campsites and on trails, and and who don't properly store their food.

Recently, a bear in Garibaldi Park, B.C. has gotten a little too comfortable picking through people's leftover garbage. Conservation officers are worried the bear has become too habituated to people and may eventually have to be put down.

It's just one example of Canadian wildlife dying because it has become habituated to humans, and their food offerings — intended or not. 

Eyton says it's time for campers and hikers to smarten up, and quit handing out death sentences to bears.

 Click the blue button above to hear Taryn's argument. 

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