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Grizzly seen in James White Park
A grizzly bear was seen in Fernie’s riverside James White Park on Friday, May 5. Bears are emerging from dens and moving to valley bottoms to feed on greenery. Be prepared and expect to encounter bears anytime.
The safest bear encounter is one prevented. Make noise to warn bears of your presence and avoid surprise encounters. If you see a bear and the bear has seen you, remain calm, identify yourself as human using your voice, back away slowly and leave the bear an escape route.
Dog owners, remember to keep dogs under control, dogs chasing wildlife can provoke defensive behaviour and result in conflict.
Bears will travel great distances looking for food and are frequently drawn into residential neighbourhoods by the promise of garbage and other attractants. It is much easier to keep food away from a wild bear in the first place than it is to teach a bear to stay away from unnatural food that he has learned to enjoy. Keep garbage indoors until collection day, bring in bird feeders, clean BBQ’s and secure all wildlife attractants.
Securing attractants is the single best way to keep people safe, prevent property damage, and avoid the unnecessary killing of bears that come into conflict with people. For more information on preventing human/wildlife conflict go to www.wildsafebc.com.
Lead image from WildSafeBC Elk Valley; it is not of the grizzly observed in James White Park.
