The ‘White Bear Cub Family’ making its way around the District of Elkford consists of a mother with two white cubs and a black cub. They have been around Elkford since September, but have become increasingly bold in the past few weeks. The bears have been on roofs, patios, and even in a kitchen! Although these animals are beautiful and interesting, it is important to remember that they are wild animals that can be potentially dangerous. Living in a rural wilderness community comes with great responsibility, as we frequently come into contact with wild animals. Properly storing or securing residential garbage and items which draw bears is a proven method for discouraging them and preventing nuisance problems around homes and neighbourhoods.

Unfortunately, these bears have been able to access garbage throughout town and because of this, are staying within the community. If there is no food source for bears to access within town, they will return to the wild. The District of Elkford would like to urge residents to do everything possible to bear-proof their homes and yards. As a community, we need to work together to keep the bears safe! Please pick fruit and berries, store garbage in a secure garage, shed or outbuilding until pick-up day, place birdfeeders out of reach, use a proper compost bin and clean barbeques after use.  Even if you have not had bears accessing your fruit or garbage, they may in the future if other readily accessible food sources are removed.

These bears are at risk of being relocated out of the area or being destroyed, as they have become habituated to garbage, and are now posing a significant risk to humans.

Please, do your part to help keep these bears safe, and wild. “A fed bear is a dead bear.”

To report a bear sighting or problem, call 1-877-952-7277

District of Elkford

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