Residents Reminded to Secure Bear Attractants During Busy Bear Season
With significant bear activity being reported in and around Castlegar this year, the City of Castlegar and WildSafeBC are reminding residents that managing attractants is one of the most important things we can all do to help keep people, neighbourhoods, and bears safe.
Late summer and fall are especially important times to be diligent. Bears are focused on consuming as many calories as possible before winter and can quickly learn to return to neighbourhoods where food is easy to find.
“We’re seeing a lot of bear activity this year, which makes it especially important for everyone to take a careful look around their property for anything that could provide an easy meal,” says Tara Pejski, WildSafeBC Castlegar Coordinator. “Garbage, organics, ripe fruit, pet food, birdseed and compost can all draw bears into neighbourhoods. Removing those food sources before a bear finds them is one of the most effective ways we can help prevent conflicts.”
Residents are also encouraged to report bear sightings and conflicts to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. Reporting helps provide important information about wildlife activity and supports efforts to respond to emerging concerns.
When bears access food from human sources, they can become food-conditioned and increasingly comfortable around homes and people. Preventing that behaviour starts with keeping attractants inaccessible.
RESIDENTS CAN HELP BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS:
Manage Your Curbside Collection Carts
- Lock and store garbage and organics carts inside a secure building between collection days.
- If carts must remain outside, keep both clips locked and secure the cart upright to a strong post or tree.
- Only place carts at the curb with clips unlocked between 4 and 7 a.m. on collection day.
- Fines of up to $200 may be issued for carts that are unsecured or placed at the curb outside the permitted collection window.
- Contact the City if your cart or locking clips are damaged.
- Reduce odours
- Freeze particularly smelly food waste, including meat, bones and spoiled fruit, and place it in your cart on collection day.
- Take excess garbage to the landfill rather than allowing it to accumulate.
- Clean carts regularly. Adding ¼ cup of baking soda and ¼ cup of Borax can help absorb odours.
- Manage backyard compost carefully by adding small amounts at a time and never including meat, dairy, bones or grease.
Remove Other Attractants
- Pick domestic fruit and nuts as soon as they ripen and clean up anything that falls to the ground.
- If you have more fruit than you can use, consider joining Harvest Match Castlegar, which connects fruit-tree owners with volunteers who can help harvest excess produce.
- Feed pets indoors and store pet food inside.
- Remove bird feeders until winter.
- Consider electric fencing around gardens, compost areas, fruit trees and other attractants.
“Harvest Match is a simple way residents can make a real difference during bear season,” says Pejski. “It gets ripe fruit off trees and the ground, keeps an important attractant out of reach of bears, and makes sure good local food is being used and shared instead of going to waste. Residents who have fruit or nut trees available for harvesting can also pick up a Harvest Match sign at City Hall to display on their property and help connect with volunteers.”
Everyone has a role to play in keeping Castlegar safe and helping wildlife remain wild. A few simple actions around your property can prevent a bear from finding a food reward and returning again.
Please help keep our community and local wildlife safe. For more information on managing bear attractants, visit www.wildsafebc.com. To get involved in the Harvest Match program, visit Harvest Match Castlegar’s Facebook page.
Corporate Services