Managing attractants can help prevent conflict with bears

As bears prepare to hibernate, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and WildSafeBC are reminding residents to manage attractants around their homes and yards to reduce conflict with bears. Attractants include garbage, fruit, BBQs and pet food left out unattended.

“Most neighbourhoods in our region are close to natural habitat for bears which is why it’s so important to manage attractants. That means keeping garbage and recycling indoors or in a garage or locked shed before collection day,” says Cynthia Coates, RDCO Solid Waste Supervisor.

According to WildSafe BC, recent wildfires across the region have affected bear habitat, reducing natural food sources and disturbing traditional foraging areas. As a result, some bears may travel farther and enter residential neighbourhoods in search of food. When bears have easy access to non-natural food sources, such as garbage, they will return, posing a risk to both humans and the animal.

“Bears become more active as the summer ends and as they enter their most intense eating phase to prepare for hibernation,” says Breanna Scott, the Central Okanagan’s WildSafeBC Coordinator. “During this period, known as hyperphagia, bears consume up to 20,000 calories a day, for rapid weight gain. To find enough food before winter, bears tend to move to lower elevations, adjacent to their habitat, and conflicts in residential areas tend to increase.”

Residents must only put garbage, yard waste and recyclables out between 7:00 am and 7:00 pm on the day of collection according to Solid Waste Management bylaws. In addition, it is an offence under the BC Wildlife Act section 33.1 to attract dangerous animals (bears, wolves, cougars and coyotes) with unsecured attractants. Store carts inside or in a secure location (i.e. in a shed), freeze strong smelling food scraps until pick-up day and maintain a clean cart.

Residents should take additional steps to manage attractants around their property by:

• Keeping garbage, recyclables and other non-natural attractants secure – indoors is best!
• Never set carts out the night before collection
• Freeze smelly items and keep carts clean
• Remove bird feeders and pet food from yards

For more information on reducing human-wildfire conflict, visit rdco.com/wildlife-awareness or wildsafebc.com.

Spot a bear? Report it to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1.877.952.7277.