“It’s bear season in Central Okanagan, and residents need to be vigilant about managing their attractants to avoid conflicts with wildlife. Bears have a strong sense of smell and can easily become habituated to human food, leading to potentially dangerous situations. To prevent this, residents are urged to take precautions and secure their garbage properly to keep bears away.
Partnering with WildSafeBC, the Regional District aims to raise awareness and educate residents on bear safety measures. By providing resources and monitoring wildlife activity, the program aims to reduce conflicts and keep both residents and wildlife safe in the region.
Tips for residents to minimize wildlife interactions include only putting out garbage on collection mornings, securing garbage in between pickups, cleaning and storing food waste properly, and avoiding feeding birds during bear activity season. By following these guidelines, residents can help keep wildlife wild and communities safe.
If residents spot bears, cougars, or coyotes in the area, they are advised to contact the BC Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1-877-952-7277 to report the sightings.
In conclusion, by taking simple steps to manage attractants and secure garbage properly, residents can play a crucial role in minimizing conflicts with wildlife and ensuring the safety of both animals and humans in the Central Okanagan region. Let’s work together to keep our communities safe and wildlife wild.”
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