As summer approaches, the public is reminded to be mindful of garbage and other attractants to help reduce conflicts with bears and other wildlife. Residents are encouraged to keep garbage secure and to place it curbside shortly before collection.
“We live in bear country,” said Cali Barton, WildSafeBC’s community co-ordinator who is stationed in Cumberland for the season. “It’s always something to be vigilant about.”
As in past years, Barton has been tagging residential garbage that has been left out before midnight Tuesday, the night before collection in Cumberland. Tagging involves placing a bear attractant sticker on garbage — a reminder to people that it could be attracting a bear.
“I recommend putting it out no more than an hour (before collection),” she said, noting a rule of thumb is to place it curbside at 7 a.m. “I understand it’s hard for some people who start work early.”
Barton applauds those who have arranged to have someone take out garbage in their absence.
2015 was a particularly bad year for bears in the Comox Valley. Conservation officers had to put down seven bears, including a mother and two cubs, mostly in Cumberland.
WildSafeBC reminds the public that bear encounters are preventable. Besides tending to garbage, the organization encourages residents to report sightings and encounters to prevent wildlife from becoming habituated.
“That’s a focus and a goal,” Barton said. “We’re all about prevention.”
Barton will operate a booth at the United Riders of Cumberland Coal Town Classic, June 10 at Village Park. Then on Friday, June 22 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., WildSafeBC provincial co-ordinator Frank Ritcey will host an electric fencing workshop at the Village OAP hall. The all ages event will interest farmers, bee keepers, gardeners, fruit growers, and anyone with backyard livestock or pets. Later in the season, the organization will likely host a wildlife film night in Cumberland.
Wildlife sightings and encounters can be reported at the RAPP line (Report All Poachers and Polluters) at 1-877-952-7277.
The public is also encouraged to use a Wildlife Alert Reporting Program on the WildSafeBC website: www.wildsafebc.com
Following are some tips to reduce human-wildlife conflict with bear, raccoon, deer and cougar:
• Keep garbage secure, either stored in a secure location or in a bear-resistant container;
• Don’t put garbage out until the day of collection;
• Pick fruit as it ripens and pick up all wind falls;
• Bring in bird feeders from April to November — when using them, keep the ground underneath free from spillage;
• Feed pets indoors;
• Keep compost working properly — a smelly compost is a sign it is not working properly;
• Do not feed wildlife;
• Keep barbecues clean and odour-free;
• Leash pets on walks or hikes.