'Garbage problem' leads to a dozen bears killed in Sitka

SITKA (AP) — A dozen bears have been killed in Sitka this year, including four last week, that were deemed dangers to life and property, the Daily Sitka Sentinel reported.

The city “has a garbage problem,” Stephen Bethune, a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Fish and Game, told the borough assembly recently.

“Neither I or any of my agency colleagues like killing bears or the labor that ensues but will continue to do so as necessary,” he said. “However, removing bears from the population only serves to treat the symptom and fails to cure the root problem. As long as that root issu...