Bear aware message slow to sink in for some

Jun 7, 2019 | 1:53 PM

The City of Armstrong continues to work with its residents to reduce human-bear conflicts.

City bylaw officers made patrols of the Highland Park area Tuesday, and out of 97 homes, 12 written and three verbal warnings were issued for putting garbage curbside prior to the 7 a.m. garbage day the next morning.

Community Services Manager Warren Smith said staff heard a number of excuses.

“[The comments] range from ‘It stinks. I don’t want it in my house’ to ‘ I don’t want to get up at 7 a.m., I like to sleep in.’ It is not all negative as we are seeing improvement and it’s a hot topic on social media but there is still a lot of work to be done as the numbers show,” Smith said in a news release.

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Not securing garbage is one of the main reasons bears are attracted to urban areas, and led to one bear being destroyed in that neighborhood last month.

“We don’t want to apply enforcement unless we have to; education and positive communication is key. It’s great to see people helping each other with mitigating measures. When it comes to contributing to the habituation of bears, it’s about changing the way we have been doing things that we have done for many years,” Smith added.

To report a bear incident, contact the B.C. Conservation Officer 24-hour Hotline: 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).

For more information on being a good bear neighbour, go to the B.C. Conservation Office or WildSafeBC websites.

by Pete McIntyre

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