25 June 2009
CP Rail Works Towards "Bear Awareness"
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Bears attracted to grain spilled on rail tracks just
outside Revelstoke.
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Revelstoke British Columbia - CP Rail has responded
to a relatively widely circulated e-mail by Defenders of Wildlife Director Jim Pissot which called into question the
company's "bear awareness".
In the e-mail, Pissot questioned CP Rail's management of grain spills along the railway's tracks, spills which Pissot
says attract bears.
"Just passed through Revelstoke and saw, from the overpass, two black bears eating from a large pile of spilled grain on the
Canadian Pacific Railway tracks," wrote Pissot, who claimed this wasn't the first time he'd seen bears feeding on spilt grain at
the location.
Pissot states, in the e-mail, "Last year in Revelstoke alone, ten black bears and one grizzly were destroyed as a
result of conflict with people. How many of these unfortunate bears were lured into town - and into conflict - by following grain
spilled along CP Railway tracks?"
CP Rail spokesperson Breanne Feigel responded by commending Pissot for his work with wildlife, but also outlining the steps the
organization is taking to deal with bears and spilt grain.
"Jim does some really proactive work when it comes to wildlife management," said Feigel before explaining how the railway
deals with spilt grain.
"CP, throughout the national park areas in Alberta and B.C., has vacuum trucks... specifically to remove product that has been
spilt," explained Feigel, saying, "We recognize that grain is an attractant to wild animals."
Feigel did acknowledge the potential for delays in reaching spill sites, stating, "We have to work around train operations... but
it's normally done in around 48 hours from when grain is reported."
As for the cause of the grain spills, Feigel pointed towards problems with the unloading gates found in the bottom of the railway's
grain cars, problems which CP Rail is currently addressing.
"Since 2007, CP has invested $20 million into a five year program... to repair grain hopper car gates," said Feigel.
"We're about 45 percent done. It's supposed to be done by 2012, but we're ahead of schedule."
As for interaction between trains, people, and bears, Feigel pointed to CP Rail programs, such as the reduction of berry bushes and
other vegetation near railway tracks, intended to reduce the number of bears killed by trains or drawn into rail yards.
Feigel also said that her organization is looking at working more closely with B.C.'s Bear Aware program.
"We're looking to speak more with Bear Aware... [and] we're looking into a variety of solutions to keep working on mitigating
having animals on our tracks," said Feigel.
Revelstoke Bear Aware coordinator Penny Page-Brittin acknowledged the importance of denying bears spilled grain and other
attractants.
"It's important that when there is a grain spill, that CP identifies it and cleans it up," said Page-Brittin,
who continued, "I have not been made aware of grain spills on the tracks this year."
Page-Brittin said that Revelstoke residents have done a "great job on securing attractants" and she also said
her organization "would look forward to working with CP on mitigating the risks of bears at their facilities."
Brandon Adams.
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