WildSafeBC Elk Valley is warning today that the recent (and forecasted) hot weather will start to dry up the berry crop any day now and reduce the availability of natural food for wildlife.

“Bears have a sense of smell far greater than dogs and it is this sense of smell that helps them locate food at great distances. Once the berries dry up, bears will be drawn into communities to look for easy food like garbage, fruit trees and even birdfeeders,” WildSafeBC Elk Valley stated in a public alert.

Bears account for over 20,000 calls to the BC Conservation Officer reporting line every year. Garbage is the number one attractant cited when reporting a call.

Wildlife sightings

Fernie

Moose, black bears and grizzly bears reported throughout the trail network. Be prepared and expect to encounter wildlife anytime. No reported sightings in town, let’s try to keep it that way by locking up garbage, cleaning up fruit trees and bringing in bird feeders.

Sparwood

Black bears reported in the campground.

Elkford

Grizzly bear sightings reported at the bottom of Alpine Way and by SMS. Cougar sighting reported just north of Karen’s Pet Inn.

South Country

Grizzly bear sightings reported by the springs at Rosen Lake and on Shelbourne Road in Jaffray.

“Thank you for keeping your property free of wildlife attractants and putting thought and end energy into preventing encounters with wildlife when out in the backcountry,” WildSafeBC Elk Valley said.

Lead image: A bear family at Fernie. WildSafeBC Elk Valley photo

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