Mark Wilmot was saddened, repulsed and yet not completely surprised when he visited Cat Lake Recreation Site recently. Wilmot, who is new site contractor, recently went out to check the area before starting his new role as a caretaker.
He found out the place to be a rotting mess, with garbage overflowing from the bins and strewn around in the areas he inspected. The site always demands a big cleanup to prepare for spring and summer, but an appaled Wilmot says he wasn’t prepared for what he saw.
“People have been using the site and leaving their garbage just about everywhere,” he says. “There is food waste and food wrappers, a lot of fast-food stuff, camping kits, broken air mattresses. It’s like people think this is a free garbage collection service.”
Wilmot took pictures of the area and sent it to the Province and local media. The garbage will require a thorough cleanup, but he is more worried about what this means for the other visitors to the campsite: Bears. Cat lake is not managed over the winter months but there are signs that say the site is user maintained and garbage must be packed out. Those signs seem to have made no difference.
“Clearly people have been using the site and have placed their garbage beside the bear proof containers and then left. The bears then route through the bags, eat what they can and drag the rest all over the site. So before we even start the camping season we have a garbage bear problem at Cat Lake,” he says.
On its website, Province is also warning people about issues related to bears. “This site has had numerous bear problems each year, be prepared to keep coolers in vehicle or food in caches on-site, do not leave food or garbage unattended for any length of time. Be respectful and keep your site clean.”
An agrressive bear was put down at the campsite in 2021 and the site had to be closed last year due to an aggressive bear. In August 2021, several people were charged for trying to access the campsite that was closed because a bear forced its way into a tent.
Martyn says
Also not surprised. But nevertheless, disgusted by the lack of respect and responsibility shown.
Something has to change. A yearly cleanup is not the answer.
Bears have a tough enough life as it is. We are the major threat to their natural existence.
😞