Bear calls on an upswing after a ‘good’ start to the year.
By Sharon Wieder
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% 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.”
Rossland and Trail are experiencing a huge fruit tree crop this year. Apples, pears and plums are all in abundance and the bears are leaving their calling cards as proof that they are back in town. Please pick all fruit and share what you can’t use. Save your apples for October 5 and turn them into cider at our Community Fruit Press Day! If you need help with your fruit or have questions, contact Sharon at 250-231-2751.
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 BC 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:
Sharon Wieder, 250-231-2751 or rossland@wildsafbc.com.
Thanks to the cities of Rossland and Trail for their support!
WildSafeBC gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Columbia Basin Trust, which supports efforts to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.
