While there have certainly been some recent tell-tale signs indicating the presence of a bear roaming around the Sundre area, there was as of Monday morning no officially confirmed sighting.
However, Fish and Wildlife officer Samantha Hillier advised residents to take precautionary measures following a number of reports of garbage bins being knocked over and bird feeders being found broken.
“We're just telling people don't have bird feeders out, if you have crab apples, clean them up,” she said, adding, “we don't want to leave any attractants.”
That of course includes garbage and compost bins, although only garbage bins have been reported knocked over to date. But there have been no sightings and no conflicts with people reported, she said.
“If they're going to be walking down by the river — that's what some people are worried about — walk in groups, walk in pairs, make noise. If you do have a dog, please have it on a leash.”
Bears are getting ready for winter and are most likely to roam around at night looking for food, so the Fish and Wildlife officer recommends residents keep their garbage and compost bins in the garage if at all possible and to only roll them out on the morning of the scheduled pickup.
“If you don't have a place for your garbage, take it to the transfer site.”
Such occurrences are fairly typical at this time of year, she said.
“Almost every year we have the same thing happening about the same time.”
So officials are urging people to take caution — take down bird feeders for now, either lock garbage and compost bins in the garage or take a trip to the transfer station, and anyone with vegetation such as crabapple trees are encouraged to harvest them, she said.
“Those are the big things that are attracting bears. So if we can clean those up, maybe they'll move along. We just got to be diligent.”
Anyone who wants to report a bin that has been knocked over, or who has actually spotted a bear, is encouraged to contact Fish and Wildlife officials at 1-800-642-3800.
