Female grizzly shot in defence of property

The female grizzly that has been relocated from Fernie made her way back to James White Park via the Fernie mobile home park on May long weekend and was later shot in defence of property in a rural area west of Fernie.

The Elk Valley is very rich grizzly bear habitat in close proximity to human development.  More unsecured garbage, traffic on the highway, people using the trails and new developments can all contribute to human/wildlife conflict.  People need to have a better understanding and tolerance of wildlife and wildlife behaviour for us to peacefully coexist.

Biologists are currently studying the way grizzly bears use the landscape in the Elk Valley and how they interact with people.  They plan to have radio collars on a sample size of approximately 10 grizzly bears and monitor their activity.  The results of the study will be used to make suggestions on how to minimize interactions with people based on the data.  Similar studies have been done in the flathead for the last 36 years.  Landscape in the flathead is similar to the Elk Valley but there are no permanent residents.

Moving bears within their home range (relocation) buys bears time to make better choices and avoid people, but it’s not a permanent solution for resolving human/bear conflict.  Trans-location, moving bears a long distance has proven ineffective.  They almost always come back to their original territory or become “problem animals” in other communities.  They often fail to adapt to their new habitat, may starve to death, be killed by other dominant wildlife, or get shot on their way back to their home territory.

At home, keep garbage indoors away from bears, clean up BBQ’s, bring in birdfeeders and use electric fencing to protect livestock.  On the trail, make noise to warn bears of your presence and avoid surprise encounters and carry bear spray, have it accessible and know how to use it.

For more information on wildlife safety visit http://www.wildsafebc.com

 

Elkford students learn bear safety

I had the pleasure of working with Grade 11 and 12 students in Elkford this morning.   In preparation for their camping trip to Elk Lakes we covered how to prevent and handle encounters with bears, set up camp in bear country and safely use bear spray.  Thanks everyone for your participation and enthusiasm.

If your group or students would like to learn more about staying safe in bear country email me fernie@wildsafebc.com

Mountain biker bluff charged by a grizzly bear on Swine flu over the weekend

A mountain biker was bluff charged by a grizzly bear just past the bench on the way back down on Swine Flu trail early Saturday morning.  This is normal defensive behaviour when a bear is surprised at close range.  Remember to make noise to warn wildlife of your presence, especially around blind corners and areas where the line of sight is poor.

There have also been many reports of people dumping carcasses and animal remains by multi use trails. Animal remains can be taken to the RDEK transfer stations free of charge. They must be split up and bagged and taken to household garbage. Large carcasses and hides must be taken to Sparwood and there is a $25 tipping fee.

For more information on preventing human/wildlife conflict go to http://www.wildsafebc.com

Runner wearing an I Pod surprises bear at close range in James White Park in Fernie

A black bear and cubs and single larger bear have been seen in James White Park the last few days.  On Monday afternoon a runner wearing an I pod surprised a bear at close range on one of the single track trails. The runner was spooked by the bear, tripped ad fell, the bear ran off.

We live in wildlife habitat. Be aware of your surroundings and respectful of the environment. If you observed dangerous wildlife

• accessing garbage or other human supplied food sources
• that cannot be scared off
• a bear, cougar or wolf seen in an urban area

Call the Ministry of Environment 24-hour hotline on 1-877-952-7277. This allows officers to identify current hot spot locations and work with both residents and wildlife to encourage use of natural habitats and food sources before wildlife becomes habituated and/or a safety concern.

For more information on keeping communities’ safe and wildlife wild please visit http://www.wildsafebc.com, or follow us on Facebook.

Black bear seen by Maiden Lake in Fernie

Sunday August 9.  A small black bear was seen on the Maiden Lake Trail behind Canadian Tire last night.  Be prepared and expect to encounter wildlife anytime and keep your garbage indoors between collection days.  There is still plenty of natural food for bears in the wilderness, lets not bait them into town with an easy food reward (garbage).

For more information on preventing human/wildlife conflict go to http://www.wildsafebc.com

Bear follows runner on trail in Fernie Update

Friday August 7, 3 pm.  Update.  The juvenile black bear followed the runner on R Trail all the way to Ridgemont road.  The bear was last seen running towards the Kush trail when the runner stopped a truck and jumped in.  In an effort to distract the bear the runner dropped a blue and silver day pack on the side of R trail, close to the wooden bridges.  If you find the day pack please turn it into the RCMP.  Thank you.  There have been no other reported sighing’s of the bear.

Black bear follows a runner down Oh Dear and Old Stumpy trails in Fernie

Friday August 7.  A juvenile black bear was reported following a runner for over 20 minutes down Deadfall, to Oh Dear and Old Stumpy trails.  There have been other recent reports of this bear in the same area but the bear would always run away when seeing people.  In this case the person ran when they saw the bear, which invoked the bears chase instinct.  The bear was last seen heading towards the golf course from the bottom of Old Stumpy.

The safest bear encounter is one prevented.

If you encounter a Bear:

STAY CALM

• DO NOT RUN
• Let the bear know you are human (arms out to side)
• Use your voice in a calm, assertive manner.
• Back away slowly and allow the bear an escape route
• Never turn your back on wildlife
• Do not approach or feed wildlife

Grizzly bear sighting reported on the powerline by Castle Mountain Drive

Wednesday August 5.  A grizzly bear was seen by a mountain biker on the power line by Castle Mountain Drive. Be prepared and expect to encounter wildlife anytime.  Bears will travel great distances in search of food and will use  the path of least resistance, our trail network.

For more information on wildlife safety go to http://www.wildsafebc.com

Black bear and cubs seen on Hedonism Trail in Mt Fernie Provincial Park

Tuesday August 4.  A black bear and her cubs were seen on Hedonism Trail by a mountain biker.

Make noise to warn wildlife of your presence and avoid surprising them at close range which may provoke defensive behaviour. All our trails are multi use and are becoming noticeably busier with hikers, bikers,dogs and wildlife. Making noise, especially when approaching blind corners and areas where the line of sight is poor will result in a reduction in human/wildlife and trail user conflict. Remember, wildlife and uphill traffic have the right of way.

For more information on wildlife safety go to http://www.wildsafebc.com

Small black bear reported on Oh Dear trail in Fernie

A small black bear was seen on Oh Dear trail yesterday.  Make noise to avoid surprising him at close range and leave him an escape route.

For more information on wildlife safety go to http://www.wildsafebc.com