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Th urs da y , S ep tem b er 5 , 2013
SENIORS GAMES
September 6 & 7, 2013
Serving the South Country, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford since 1898
New faces at Isabella Dicken
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Fernie dominates cribbage - Page 11 LABOUR DAY
Steelworkers barbecue- Page 4 SCHOOL
Francophone school opens - Page 3 Stella Ingram (left) and Grace Anderson head to the classroom on their first day at Isabella Dicken Elementary School. For more photos, visit www.thefreepress.ca.
SPORT
Photo by A. Treharne
Elkford white bear heads to new Calgary home By Angela Treharne Free Press Staff
Local wakesurf champion - Page 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE rn Regional 11th Biennial National Weste
2013
Memorial Arena th und Competition @ Fernie September 6 - Undergro School Site th Competition @ Max Turyk September 7 - Surface
T
he white bear that has shown up again in Elkford, after being relocated last year, has been caught and is on her way to the Calgary zoo. Almost exactly a year from when she was captured and relocated further up the valley, she has been captured again and is heading to the zoo. She was spotted back in Elkford a few weeks ago, getting into garbage, and also reportedly dragged a sleep-
ing bag out of a tent at the campground with children in the area. A baited trap was set for her, but she refused to go into it, so eventually Conservation officer Joe Garay used a tranquilizer gun to capture her on Friday near Caribou Drive. “Often once a bear has been caught in a trap once, they won’t go in a second time,” said Conservation Officer Frank de Boon. “She was caught in a trap last year, so probably learned her lesson.” On Saturday morning she
was taken to Calgary zoo by a biologist from Cranbrook. An ordinary black bear would probably be euthanized, but because this bear is white-coloured, making it unusual, it has been offered a home at the Calgary zoo. “She’s white and female and unique so she gets a second chance,” said Kathy Murray, WildSafe BC coordinator. “A zoo is better than the alternative.” “Removing bears (relocation or destruction) is not the answer! Continued on page 7
Captured in Elkford, the white bear is heading to its new home at the Calgary zoo. Submitted photo
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