BURST
The B.C. Conservation Officer Service is warning Sunshine Coast residents to be wary of an increase in grizzly bear sightings.
According to the agency, conservation officers have responded to several reports of grizzly bears frequenting residential areas over the past few weeks. In particular, the bears are appearing in Pender Harbour, Madeira Park and Sechelt communities.
“Conservation officers believe some of the bears may be lingering in communities due to numerous fruit trees,” the agency said in a news release.
“Communities are advised to ensure all attractants are properly managed. This includes picking fruit from trees and the ground, securing garbage and removing bird feeders. Don’t give bears a reason to linger in communities and create risk to people and themselves.”
Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance director Evelyn Kirkaldy said there has absolutely been more grizzly bear sightings in residential parts of the region this year.
“It’s one of those things where there are a whole lot of factors at play,” Kirkaldy said.
This includes a low snowpack generally affecting the food chain, a poor berry crop and an increase in the bear population due to a hunting ban in the region.
“Grizzly bears don’t like to be around humans, but at this time of year a hungry stomach rules everything,” Kirkaldy said.
As a result, bears will wander into areas where humans are living and will stick around if there are attractants like fruit trees or poorly managed garbage.
She said that, so far this year, there have not been any dangerous interactions between grizzly bears and humans on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Coast Bear Alliance is holding a community safety day at the Rotary Club of Pender Harbour on Oct. 3 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to answer bear safety questions.
Grizzly bear reports can be made at 1-877-952-7277.