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End of season for WildSafeBC Cranbrook – Kimberley
By Danica Roussy
The bears are beginning to den up for the winter, as is the WildSafeBC Kimberley – Cranbrook program.
Once again, WildSafeBC had an active year assisting the community with several wildlife conflicts throughout Kimberley and Cranbrook.
The program included door-to-door canvassing, garbage tagging, attendance at public events, and delivery of the WildSafe Ranger elementary school program, bear spray presentations, deer safety presentations and general wildlife presentations.
The Kimberley – Cranbrook WildSafeBC Community Coordinator is grateful for the generous support of the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, the Conservation Officer Service and Bylaw Enforcement for their ongoing support and everyone who has made an effort to prevent human-wildlife conflicts this year as well as the City of Kimberley, the City of Cranbrook, the Regional District of East Kootenay and Columbia Basin Trust.
Cranbrook had 211 deer reports whereas Kimberley had 92 deer reports in 2020. In Cranbrook there were 63 black bear reports and 105 reports in Kimberley. There were 13 grizzly bear reports in Cranbrook and six in Kimberley.
Cranbrook had six cougar reports whereas Kimberley had three. Elk reports in Cranbrook was 25 and 15 Kimberley.
Garbage and livestock remain the top high conflict animal attractants in Kimberley and Cranbrook.
Please view our year-end report scheduled to be released in December on our website to see what the Kimberley – Cranbrook WildSafeBC Community Coordinator was able to accomplish this year.
During the winter months, wildlife conflicts can still be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 and urgent wildlife questions can be directed to [email protected]. Until our program resumes in the spring, please visit wildsafebc.com and follow our Facebook page for updates, tips, and other information to assist you in keeping wildlife wild and communities safe!
Lead image: A buck helps himself to some apples at a Kimberley store. Angela Paradis photo
Danica Roussy is Kimberley – Cranbrook WildSafeBC Community Coordinator
