They’re Back, Bears Being Spotted in P.G.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 @ 3:58 AM
Prince George, B.C.- It may seem early , but bears are already being sighted in the Prince George area.
“I know of one in particular that has been spotted in the Upper College Heights area” says Conservation Officer Todd Hunter “ this is an habituated bear who is after garbage.” Hunter says if that bear was to be trapped , he is certain there would be a reduction in the number of complaints about a bear rooting through garbage.
While there was a report of a bear spotted March 15th, Hunter says typically non-habituated bears who are in a normal cycle, may come out of their den, poke around, then go back to their den. He says bears typically look for grass or skunk cabbage when they first come out of their dens, but the one reported in College Heights is definitely a garbage habituated bear.
“It’s important for people to remove the attractants they may have on their property. Bears will forage for old fruit that hasn’t been picked up, old berries, anything that has a caloric content.” That’s why he says it is important for people to remove the bird feeders they have had up all winter. According to the Northern Bear Awareness Society, “One birdfeeder full of seed, downed in mere minutes, can easily provide the same amount of calories a bear would accumulate spending an entire day at a berry patch. And once a bear has been attracted to a backyard or neighbourhood by garbage or birdseed, the bear will usually stick around and “case the place” to see what other food sources it can locate—such as pet food, compost piles, fruit trees or barbeques.”
The City of Prince George has a new bylaw in place that makes it an infraction to place garbage out for pick up before 4 a.m. and Hunter says the Conservation Officers have issued Dangerous Wildlife Protection orders which set a time frame for a property owner to remove attractants. Failure to obey the orders can result in a hefty fine of $575 dollars.
Hunter says property owners, especially those who live adjacent to a green belt, can make their property less attractive to bears by having the area well lit as well as making sure there are no attractants.
The Northern Bear Awareness Society in Prince George has a website that offers tips on eliminating or reducing attractants.
Comments
Remember, as long as you keep your garbage cans near your house you are okay from the bears scroungning in them, this is from our city council. But if you put them to the curb before 4am on garbage day expect a fine.
Another asinine decision from council.
Has anyone ever received a fine from ANY bylaw in Prince George?
I agree P Val….bears wont go that extra distance from the curb to the house for garbage…way too far!!!!!!
We have had bird feeders at our home for decades and never ever seen a bear. I wonder what they look like? Are they related to the Sasquach? Big and fury!
Cheers
Hey city hall there are a lot of workers in this town out the door before 4 AM. I agree does not seem bylaw service is much of a threat anyhow.
I guess CO Todd Hunter is setting stage for an excuse to exterminate the PG bear population they started a couple of years ago.
If the city won’t enforce the bylaws this is what the Conservation Service can do, no matter where your garbage is or what time of day.
â¢Under the new amendments to the Wildlife Act, it is an offense for people in B.C. to feed dangerous wildlife (bears, cougars, coyotes and wolves) or disobey orders to remove and clean up food, food waste or other substances that can attract dangerous wildlife to their premises. Conservation Officers may issue a written dangerous wildlife protection order (DWPO) which requires “the removal or containment of compost, food, food waste or domestic garbage.” If people fail to comply with the order they could face a heavy penalty of up to $50,000 and/or six months in jail.
I think the CO’s wrote at least 8 of these last year. Just a friendly heads up.
We live not far from the railway tracks coming into town and have experienced bears every year that I can remember.
The biggest surprise was the dude on our sundeck outside the window from where I was sitting….And our lot is fully fenced!!!I promptly took down the bird feeders.
We have a few neighbours who continue to put garbage out the night before…I just don`t get it……
Ron J Davis
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