December 21 is the first day of winter, which means almost all bears are now in sleep mode. As a result, qathet Regional District’s WildSafeBC program has also wound down.
According to community coordinator Krystle Mitchelitis, WildSafeBC had an active year assisting the community with several wildlife conflicts throughout the region.
Highlights included door-to-door canvassing, awareness booths at public events, and delivery of the WildSafe Rangers school program and Wildlife Awareness and Safety Presentation, Mitchelitis reported in a media release. Garbage and fruit and nut trees remain the top high conflict animal attractants in the regional district, and black bears accessing unsecured residential attractants remains high, she added.
City of Powell River residents were also reminded that with the rollout of new curbside pickup garbage bins, it is more important now than ever to ensure bins are secure and are not left out with garbage stored in them.
During winter months, wildlife conflicts can be reported to the RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277 and urgent wildlife questions can be directed to [email protected]. Until the program resumes in the spring, residents are asked to go to wildsafebc.com or follow WildSafeBC’s Facebook page for updates, tips and other information on keeping wildlife wild and communities safe.
