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Bear picnics at beach

A curious bear amused beach-goers in Port Moody over the weekend.

But, conservation officers warn the bruin, seen poking its nose in picnic baskets and beach bags, poses a real danger.

The black bear has been hanging around White Pine Beach in Belcarra Regional Park since Thursday, stealing lunches and moseying from blanket to beach towel.

The curious bear has delighted park visitors, but conservation officers see otherwise.

“That behavior is not natural. That bear should be nowhere near those people,” spokesman Eric Tyukodi told CTV.

He said the bear is showing human “food conditioning” and "if mom didn’t train them the best, then they’ve accessed food before and learned this behaviour, and that’s why they keep coming back."

Conservation officers have tried scaring the animal, but it keeps returning. They set up a trap Saturday night.

White Pine Beach has been closed to vehicle access, but the rest of the park remains open.

– with files from CTV Vancouver



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