City of Cranbrook residents are asked to keep an eye out for a lone black bear spotted wandering along 12th Street South, between Gordon Terrace Elementary and Parkland Middle School early this morning. Both the City of Cranbrook and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service are aware of this morning’s sighting.

It is important for people – especially in the periphery of the city – to be very diligent with managing their garbage properly and cleaning up any fallen fruit from trees on their properties. Bears will be hungry and looking for easy meals.

The public can expect to see a growing number of bears and perhaps an increase in bear issues over the next month, as bears will be foraging for food for the winter. Bears are starting to move closer to communities where food may be more easily accessible. Last week, COS were monitoring a mother bear and cubs around Highland Elementary School.

Please do not contact City of Cranbrook Bylaw staff or the local branch of the SPCA with wildlife issues. They are only able to deal with domestic animals – not wildlife.

If you see or have issues with any wildlife, including bears, please contact the provincial RAPP line to report it at 1-877-952-7277, 24 hours a day, seven days per weeks. This information is passed along directly to the local branch of the Conservation Officer Service, where it is recorded and depending on the wildlife issue it will be responded to.

City of Cranbrook

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