Spring is upon us and the bruins are waking up from months of hibernation.
Of course they’re hungry and searching for good eats, so now is the time for locals to stay vigilant in managing refuse.
“As bears emerge, they will be seeking out fresh grasses and sedges [flowering plants] to feed on as well as winter-killed animals,” WildSafeBC advises. “Do not let garbage draw them into your community.”
Trash is the most reported attractant involved in human-bear conflicts, and as the saying goes, “a fed bear is a dead bear.”
To avoid luring in a bear and putting the community at-risk, WildSafeBC is offering some simple tips for managing household attractants.
Keep garbage, recyclables and other attractants secure, indoors is best.
Wash out containers that store garbage and recycling so they are clean and odour-free.
Minimize odours by freezing meat, fish and other smelly food scraps, and don’t put them in the green bin until collection day or until you can transport it to the landfill.
Residents are reminded to store their garbage in a secure place until the morning of their scheduled pick up day.
New this spring are green bins provided by the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB).
The RDKB advises that while the 80-litre green bins are critter-resistant (to raccoons, rodents, etc.), they are not bear-resistant.
“With this in mind, it’s important that you store and manage your green bin properly,” the RDKB notes.
Tips to bear-safe green bins:
Store your green bins in a secure building when not out for collection, such as in a closed, locked garage or shed, even if empty — bins hold a residual smell.
If a bin is stored outside, anchor it to a post using a cable so that it can’t be dragged away.
Place bins at the roadside only on the morning they are collected, never the night before.
Take it out to the curb every week, even if you only have a small amount of organics in the bin.
Set out your bins by 7:30 a.m. on your collection day and bring them in after collection as soon as possible.
Certified bear-resistant green bins are available for purchase through the bear bin trade-in program. These bins are for RDKB residents who live in bear-frequented areas and are unable to keep their bins secured.
For more tips on garbage, organics and recycling visit: rdkb.com. Click the “Waste” link on the home page.
Under the BC Wildlife Act, the public is legally responsible to secure waste and keep other attractants away from wildlife.
Read more: Green bins drop in Trail area neighborhoods
Read more: #Local News
Human-wildlife conflict
Every year, hundreds of bears are destroyed as a result of conflicts with populated areas.
Bear Smart programs are in many towns and there is plenty of information online at: gov.bc.ca.
If you encounter a bear:
Do not feed bears, ever;
Remain calm — do not run or climb a tree;
Keep a healthy distance from the bear;
Stay together in a group if you can;
Go indoors if possible, and bring pets inside too;
Watch and wait until the bear leaves;
Make noise if you are outside and carry bear spray if you are planning an outdoor activity like taking a hike.