AFC Celebrates First International Bear Day

We are excited to be celebrating the first ever International Bear Day this coming Saturday (April 4th). In recognition of the day, AFC will be showing its support with the organizers of the inaugural event: Raincoast Conservation Foundation  and North Shore Black Bear Society at Capilano University in North Vancouver. Although AFC is not organizing this particular event, it is participating. IBD was originally conceived and declared by AFC at our 2014 BC Conservation Symposium at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, with the support of the Willow Grove Foundation. 

The event at Capilano University includes Family Fun Day - 12-4pm and an evening of presentations - 6:30-9:30pm. Admission is free during the day with an interpreted nature walk, bear safety workshop and more. Tickets for evening presentations can be reserved for free. For more information, visit Raincoast's website 

On Sept 11, 2014, the IBD concept was tabled for discussion with a panel of leading bear scientists, researchers and artists. Several candidate dates were proposed, discussed and then voted upon by delegates. The winning calendar day, was proposed by Dr. Ken Macquisten, Veterinarian and Director of the Refuge for Endangered Wildlife at Grouse Mountain. Other panelists supporting the motion included Dr. Faisal Moola, Director General at the David Suzuki Foundation , Jennifer Walkus of Coastal First Nations Initiative, Bears Forever , Mark Hobson, artist and biologist and Bear scientist/researcher at Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Christina Service.

To commemorate the day, AFC has  launched a Facebook page for IBD.