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By Liam Verster

Bear Sightings

Bears in downtown Vernon, Coldstream

Apr 27, 2022 | 12:15 PM

Several bear sightings have been reported locally over the past 72 hours, including one in downtown Vernon.

WildSafe B.C.’s Wildlife Alert Reporting Program (WARP) collected a report of a black bear in downtown Vernon Tuesday evening.

The sighting near city Hall on 32nd Avenue was reported at 8:41 p.m. Tuesday, April 26.

This is the second bear sighting at that location recently. The last report there was filed on the evening of Wednesday, April 20.

Coldstream, or areas near the community, was also home to three black bear sightings, all of which were reported Monday, April 25.

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The first sighting was reported at 8:15 a.m. at the end of Country Estate Place near Vernon Golf and Country Club. The file said the bear was ‘food conditioned’ and attracted to the site by compost.

The second sighting Monday, filed at 11:17 a.m., was along Kalamalka Lake Road across from the golf course. The report said the animal was ‘food conditioned’ and attracted by garbage.

The third and final sighting of the day was reported at 7:56 p.m. Monday at Dutch’s Campground. The bear was similarly ‘food conditioned’ and attracted by garbage.

It is unknown if the three black bears spotted in Coldstream Monday were the same animal. Vernon Matters has reached out to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service with a request for comment, but had not received a response as of time of publication.

It is also unknown if the conservation service tracked and captured the bears, or if they were relocated or destroyed.

WildSafe B.C. asks people to be bear aware by ensuring garbage and compost bins are secured, that fruit trees are managed, that pet food is not kept outside and that livestock or backyard chickens are kept inside an electric fence.

Anyone who comes in contact with wildlife is asked to call the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.