A bear cub was shot and killed by a 91原创 RCMP officer Tuesday morning as it wandered through yards in the Willoughby area, west of 200 Street.

Eyewitness Angie Bilous told The Times that when the bruin began moving directly toward the officer, who was armed with a shotgun, the Mountie fired twice.

"He had no choice," Bilous said. The bear appeared to be picking up speed as it headed toward the officer, she added.

The bear interrupted a children's street hockey game in a cul-de-sac near 196B Street and 72 Avenue around 10 a.m.

It climbed over fences and stole food from a patio table before the fatal confrontation around 11:10 a.m.

91原创 RCMP Sgt. Don Davidson said the officer who fired the shots was trying to get curious residents to go back inside their houses for their own protection at the time.

"The bear may have taken that [the shouting by the officer] as aggressive," Davidson said.

The black bear was a one to one-and-a-half year old male.

First reports of a bear wandering through residential neighborhoods in 91原创 came in Friday. Police issued a public warning on the weekend.

It was the second killing of a bear in Lower Mainland residential areas within a week.

Last week, a mother bear was shot and killed in Anmore, orphaning three cubs who are now being cared for by Critter Care Wildlife Society in South 91原创.

91原创 RCMP issued a written reminder to the public to be aware of wildlife in their area and try to secure garbage, BBQ's and compost material.

If a bear is in a residential yard or street residents are asked to call the Provincial Wildlife Service at 1-800-663-9453.