Peachland residents are expressing concern on social media about multiple bear sightings in their neighbourhoods.
On May 8, Peachland resident Annemarie de Jong wrote on Facebook: 害羞草研究所淐areful, bear on Desert Pines. He was on our driveway and (at our) front door a few minutes ago.害羞草研究所�
Another Facebook user posted: 害羞草研究所淣o more bear photos, let害羞草研究所檚 keep him a secret from conservation (officers).害羞草研究所�
Other group members expressed they want no harm to come to the bear and agreed with the post.
READ MORE: Bears about to wake up around the Okanagan
WildSafeBC community coordinator Meg Bjordal wrote on the Peachland Neighbours Facebook group she was seeing a lot of posts about bears and wanted to reach out and make herself accessible to anyone who has questions.
She said it害羞草研究所檚 natural for bears to pass through the area, but once they have access to unnatural food sources they can associate those foods with people and become habituated, and that can lead to aggression.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Grizzly bears Grinder and Coola out of hibernation on Grouse Mountain
害羞草研究所淕arbage and bird feeders are main attractants in this area,害羞草研究所� said Bjordal. 害羞草研究所淧lease take down bird feeders and make sure your garbage is inaccessible. WildSafeBC advises keeping garbage stored in a secure shed/garage, or freezing it, particularly kitchen waste, so that (neither) you nor the bears can smell it. And then put it out in the bin on collection day only.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e are trying to get the municipalities, and regional districts to adopt the Wild Safe program, and become Bear Smart communities,害羞草研究所� said West Kelowna conservation officer Ed Seitz. 害羞草研究所淪o far, West Kelowna has taken responsibility and hired a community Bear Safe coordinator. We are still waiting for the rest to do the same.害羞草研究所�
READ MORE: Wildlife experts urge caution as Okanagan bears wake up for spring
it is an offence for someone to leave out attractants for dangerous wildlife like bears. If caught doing so, the person can be issued a dangerous wildlife protection order and, or, fined.
Report all wildlife encounters to the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.
laryn.gilmour@blackpress.ca
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