Bears have been accessing garbage that has been left outdoors, and trees that are loaded with apples across the Elk Valley and South Country. We chose to live here, so we are all responsible for making sure we are making every effort to mitigate human/wildlife conflict. We have a revolving door of new people and new bears in town all the time. We long timers who have a better tolerance and understanding of wildlife need to lead by example and take it upon ourselves to work with new neighbours and visitors and make them “Bear Aware” and tell them about the resources we have. If you are new to bear country, it’s up to you to learn about living with wildlife.

We have a volunteer group that will pick apples for people that are unable, contact Rachel Dortman, tel: 250-423-8665. Wildsight has an apple capture program with equipment available to lend, fruit picking, tree pruning, apple presses, dehydrators, sauce makers etc., Contact 250-423-3322.

Districts are taking measures to enable residents to dispose of garbage responsibly and many businesses are upgrading to bear resistant dumpsters. We have made a lot of progress the last few years and would like to thank everyone who has made an effort to bear proof their property. We all have to work together. Sadly, between WildSafeBC, The Conservation Officer Service, local bylaw officers, volunteers and community groups, we don’t have the resources to address all potential human/wildlife conflict situations.

Thank you for helping spread the word that garbage, fruit trees, birdseed and pet food etc., attract bears to your property, making it more likely for the bear to break into your home creating a safety risk for your family and a death sentence for the bear.

Never Approach or Feed Wildlife

Report human/wildlife conflict to 1-877-952-7277(RAPP) or #7277 on cell.
For more information on preventing human/wildlife conflict visit www.wildsafebc.com