The year 2010 was 'beary' tough on bears in Prince George with 87 destroyed.
The 86 black bears and one grizzly provided more than 1,900 complaints to conservation officers.
It was nearly twice the average annual number of bear killings during the past 10 years, according to Rachel Caira of Northern Bear Awareness Society.
"The appalling number of complaints is attributed to a poor food year for the bears with a hot summer drying up the majority of natural food crops like berries," said Caira.
"The bears were forced to wander into the city in search of substance which led them to unsecured backyard attractants like garbage, fruit, bird seed and pet food,"
In keeping with the poor year, the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers received 35 orphaned cubs including 14 from the Prince George area.
"This is the highest number that has ever come through their doors in 20 years of operation," Caira said.
When considering the high destruction, the society encourages residents to prepare for the spring by getting into the habit of properly securing backyard bear attractants.
On a happier note, the society's pub night and silent auction fundraiser Nov. 27 raised $2,220 for the organization to help keep Prince George bears wild and free.
For more information visit www.northernbearawareness.com.
