The extended spell of milder weather should have all residents of the province thinking about securing bear attractants, says Kathy Murray from WildSafe BC

Murray says that with the mild temperatures and shallow snow pack, it is very likely bears will be out of hibernation soon.

While most sows will have their cubs the last week of January, they tend to stay in the dens until April feeding from their mother. That may not happen this year.

害羞草研究所淚t would depend on the health of the female,害羞草研究所� Murray said. 害羞草研究所淗ow much body fat she had going into hibernation.害羞草研究所�

In any event, expect bear activity soon and take appropriate action.

害羞草研究所淭he message to all of us is, if we do have an early spring, bears are going to be looking for food.害羞草研究所�

While the first food source may be new spring plants, in some areas like the Kootenays and the north, we are weeks away from any type of growth. Bears will head into urban areas looking for an easy food source.

害羞草研究所淪pring is the best time of year to keep wildlife wild,害羞草研究所� Murray said. 害羞草研究所淚f they get an opportunity to get into garbage, they are not going back into the wild.害羞草研究所�

Murray says in the winter the attitude may be, there害羞草研究所檚 no bears around so there害羞草研究所檚 no need to secure garbage. That has to change, she says.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檝e had no reports of bears yet, but once they start emerging, it害羞草研究所檚 too late.害羞草研究所�

Unfortunately for those who enjoy feeding birds in the winter, this also means you should be taking your feeders down.

害羞草研究所淎 feeder full of birdseed is 2,000 calories. That害羞草研究所檚 a quick and easy meal for a bear. It害羞草研究所檚 time to think about bear-proofing your yard.害羞草研究所�

Murray also reminds property owners that anything that attracts a bear will also attract other pests, such as raccoons and rats.

害羞草研究所淭alk to your friends and neighbours about bear proofing now,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭he end results are safer communities for people and wildlife.害羞草研究所�