There have been no official reports for bears in the Kamloops area this spring, but conservation officer say they are out (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

BEAR AWARE

No calls for bears in Kamloops, but they’re out of hibernation and looking for food: B.C. Conservation

Apr 17, 2020 | 5:06 PM

KAMLOOPS — The hills around Kamloops are barren with no visible signs of bears, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out. The spring weather appears to be here to stay and experts are appealing to people to become more bear aware.

WildSafe BC says with all the attention on COVID-19, the potential presence of bears and other wildlife in neighbourhoods is not top-of-mind.

“There are a lot more people at home right now and there might be some additional waste because there was a lot of people purchasing a lot of food,” said provincial coordinator for WildSafe BC Vanessa Isnardy.

It means a greater chance of bears sniffing out the attractants and being lured into neighbourhoods.

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Isnardy says people need to be aware of the city’s bylaw that came into effect in April, not allowing residents to put out garbage overnight. She adds people need to clean up attractants.

“Now’s a really good time to do a look around your home in seeing what could be inviting a bear to your yard,” noted Isnardy. “Making sure that your garbage is secure, that it’s stored indoors, and also recyclables have been rinsed, potentially stored indoors as well. Those are really important. Also, if you have bird feeders out, now’s a really good time to take them down.”

The B.C. Conservation Service in Kamloops says there have been no calls or reports of bears, but officers say while there hasn’t been an official call, they are out there.

“You see some things on social media indicating that people are starting to see some bears around town,” said conservation officer Rob Armstrong. “I haven’t had any reports of them into any attractants yet, but just being spotted on the hills coming through Westsyde and things like that.”

People are encouraged to call conservation immediately, so they can intervene early and give the bear the best chance at rehabilitation.