Hide your garbage, leave waking bears alone: conservation officers

LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS 1130) – We’re heading into the time of year when you’re most likely to meet a bear in your neighbourhood.

The BC Conservation Officer Service says it’s extremely important to leave them to their own devices and keep attractants hidden.

They’re getting up, they’re hungry and they’re looking for an easy meal. Bears who become accustomed to eating garbage have to be put down.

It was just last week we learned a mother bear and her two yearling cubs had to be shot while looking for garbage in a Port Moody neighbourhood. That city’s mayor says careless people are to blame for animals put down.

BC Conservation Officer Service Deputy Chief Chris Doyle says they’ve been called to help with a bear more than 300 times already this month.

“They’re searching for food, so it’s really important at this time of year that we remind people that they need to contain attractants and it’s also unlawful under the BC Wildlife Act for people to attract bears or feed dangerous wildlife.”

He says drivers also need to steer clear of bears they may see on the side of the road and never, ever feed them.

“The problem with that is it causes bears to be habituated to people and it also does cause bears to get hit by vehicles because if they are getting fed, they’re going to be attracted to those cars.”

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