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Garbage, apples lure bears in everywhere
WildSafeBC Elk Valley stated Monday, August 24 that bear sightings, bears eating garbage left outdoors, bears eating apples dumped at compost sites and on apple trees in backyards, people approaching bears and taking photos of bears are being reported all over Elk Valley communities.
Here is a brief summary
Fernie
Bears are accessing garbage and apples at the Fernie Mobile Home Park, Ridgemont, Coal Creek Bridge, Annex Park by the East Fernie bridge and Dike trail by the Leroux Mansion.
Sparwood
Bears are reported feeding on apples dumped at the community compost site by the firehall and by the Causeway Bay Hotel.
Elko
Bear sightings reported behind the gas station in Elko.
If you don’t want bears on your property or in your neighborhood jeopardizing your personal safety keep garbage indoors, clean up all fruit trees and dispose of fruit responsibly and help your neighbours do the same. Please report all violators to your local bylaw officer. Thank you for helping prevent the needless destruction of bears and helping keep our community safe for people and wildlife.
Cougar sightings
Cougar sightings were reported on Lazy Lizard Trail yesterday afternoon (August 24).
What about the bear in area signs?
The purpose of the signs is to warn people there is a bear in a residential area and to remind everyone to manage attractants (garbage and apples) responsibly. For your own safety and the safety of our bears please avoid areas with bears. The “Bear in Area” signs are a trial project. It has proven to be successful so more signs have been ordered. I expect them later this week.
Feeding by intent or neglect, approaching, watching and photographing bears all contribute to an increase in human/wildlife conflict and the destruction of bears.
After repeated exposure to people and easy access to human food, bears lose their natural fear of people, associate people with food and become bolder. The end result is a potential threat to human safety and the death of a bear. Thanks for giving bears their space and respecting “Bear in Area” notices, trail closures, bear-proofing your property and helping neighbours do the same.
For more information go to www.wildsafebc.com
