A bear spotted in several South Surrey locations on Sunday and Monday has spurred several social media posts about the importance of being bear-aware.
The black bear is a female from Coquitlam who is more than 20 years old, according to social media user and bear advocate Michelle Joyce, and is likely the same black bear spotted in 91原创 earlier this month and in on Friday (July 12).
"She is lost and trying to find her way back home to Burke Mountain in Coquitlam," Joyce posted Monday evening. "The sad part is, she is tagged and conservation officers are unlikely to relocate her again. We call her 'Matriarch' as she is mom and grandma to many other bears in Coquitlam and she is more than 20 years old."Joyce noted it is mating season for bears, "which is the reason a male bear (without a tag) was seen when she was in 91原创."
Peace Arch News has reached out to BC Conservation Service to confirm.
If the bear is able to stay safe, feed on natural food and find bear habitat away from the community, then she will likely have cubs again this winter, Joyce said. She urged area residents to give her lots of space and not to approach or chase her in a car for a video, and shared a link to the as well as several tips.
Be bear-aware:
鈥� Secure and lock garbage (in a garage if possible)
鈥� Freeze food waste until morning of collection
鈥� Clean barbecues immediately after using
鈥� Pick ripe fruit from trees and bushes
鈥� Keep pet food indoors
鈥� Remove bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders
鈥� Lock doors on your home and vehicle
WildsafeBC communications co-ordinator Gabriela De Romeri concurred with the tips, and added a few of her own 鈥� especially when it comes to canine companions. The organization, which is managed and delivered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation, helps resolve conflict with wildlife throughout the province.
"Any kind of attractant management is really key to keeping bears wild... making sure your yard is wild safe," she said Tuesday.
"If you do have water features in your backyard right now, check it before you let your dog out, because animals are seeking out those sources at the moment."
She emphasized the importance of keeping dogs on leash, even if people aren't expecting a curious bruin to visit.
"Dogs are involved in over 50 per cent of black bear attacks in North America. It gets both of them in trouble and puts the person involved at risk too... bears could be there when you're not expecting it, and that can be a not-so-good conflict. A lot of the time when dogs are off-leash, they take off after the bear, the bear gets tired of that, turns around chases the dog right back to the humans."
