CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – The BC Conservation Officer Service is asking Campbell River residents to keep their garbage indoors and recycling clean, after a bear had to be shot on Wednesday.
According to Petrovcic, the bear was first reportedly sighted around Southgate Middle School yesterday morning and was exhibiting “desensitized and habituated” behaviour, meaning the bear wasn’t afraid of humans.
“Unfortunately, that behaviour does not translate into a relocation candidate and unfortunately, that bear had to be destroyed,” Petrovcic explained.
Petrovcic said he went to other properties were garbage bins were ripped open and clearly accessed by the bear. Having garbage out and other attractants such as unrinsed bottles and food containers emit odours that attract bears and lead to wildlife coming to residential areas.
He says residents need to be careful to take their garbage bins out only on garbage collection days, and to carefully rinse out recycling. Petrovcic said that if possible, keeping garbage and recycling indoors or in a locked shed would keep the odour away and not attract wildlife.
Fruit trees are also a wildlife attractant, and fruits should be removed from the trees and off the ground.
“We’re requesting that homeowners pick their fruit, remove the fruit from the ground, remove the fruit from the tree. Store it in a secure structure, so that the bear’s not going to have readily available access. It is actually an offense under the Wildlife Act to place an attractant that’s out and accessible to a bear,” Petrovcic added. Officers could formally order homeowners to remove attractants but if they don’t comply, they could face a $575 fine.
Bear sightings have been happening more and more frequently around Campbell River and Petrovcic said the unfortunate incident at Eardley and Dalton is not an isolated event. He added that another bear has been frequenting 7th Ave. and Cedar, and a number of bears have been frequenting around Holly Heights, Steelhead, Coho, and Rainbow neighbourhoods.
Petrovcic also said residents have seen a mother bear with cubs around Simms Creek in the vicnity of North Island College and Timberline Secondary, as well as Nunns Creek. He said signage have been put up, but he warned that people still need to keep their eyes open.
If you see a bear or any other wildlife in your community, call the Conservation Service at 1-877-952-7277. The call centre is open 24/7.
