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Bear Corner By Kathy Murray Wildsafe BC
“Bear calls on an upswing after a ‘good’ start to the year.” Even though bear related calls are down on average across the province in comparison to last year, WildSafeBC warns residents that the active fall season is about to heat up with regards to human-bear conflicts. “We’re down about 20 per cent province-wide in terms of bear related calls to the Conservation Officer Service Reporting line,” says Frank Ritcey, Provincial Coordinator of the WildSafeBC program.” However, that could all change with the fall season. Natural forage has been good with a long wet spring but the dry hot summer could have reduced the availability of natural foods.” Bears are entering a phase of their yearly cycle called “hyperphagia” a time when they can take in up to 20,000 calories in a single day. It is during this period that they create great stores of fat to make it through their winter hibernation period. “Garbage, unpicked fruit, bird feeders, pet food, outdoor freezers, and small livestock all become targets for the bears,” warns Ritcey. “Preventing bears from accessing these attractants will help to keep the wildlife wild and our communities safe.”
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, September 26, 2013
Wildlife Sighting Update Bear sightings and reports of bears accessing garbage and other food sources have been reported throughout the Elk Valley. Fernie: A black bear and two cubs have been seen on Fourth Avenue and behind the Leroux Mansion in Fernie. Bears reported on McLeod Avenue and Anderson road. Sparwood: Bears reported throughout town, Pine Avenue, Ponderosa, Hickory, Cypress, White Birch, Juniper and by the Fire Hall. Elkford: Bears reported on Elk, Ash, Arbutus, Alpine Way and by the District Office. Since the inception of Bear Aware (the fore-runner of WildSafeBC) the annual destruction of bears has dropped from about 1,000 animals a year to approximately 500 animals a year. WildSafeBC is a program run by the B.C. Conservation Foundation and more information about the program can be found at wildsafebc.com or they can be followed on Facebook at facebook.com/wildsafebc Locally you can reach your WildSafeBC community coordinator at fernie@wildsafebc. com Thank to you our local program sponsors, City of Fernie, District of Elkford, R.D.E.K. and the Columbia Basin Trust.
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