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The original item was published from 3/16/2021 2:30:24 PM to 3/17/2022 12:00:00 AM.

News Flash

City News

Posted on: March 16, 2021

[ARCHIVED] Bears Know No Boundaries – Secure Waste and Attractants

Bear with Garbage Can

COQUITLAM, B.C., March 16, 2021 – Bears are becoming active again and have already been spotted in local neighbourhoods. As bears know no boundaries, the cities of Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody are working together to remind residents and businesses to keep bears and people safe by securing garbage and other attractants.

The best way to prevent human/wildlife conflict is to keep waste and other attractants out of reach:

  • Keep carts in the garage or in an area not accessible to wildlife like a secure shed or enclosure. 
  • Freeze meat and strong-smelling food scraps, and wait until collection day to put them into the green cart.
  • Keep pet food inside.
  • Clean barbecues after use and keep fridges and freezers indoors or locked up.
  • Don’t store garbage outside. 
  • Harvest fruit, berries and vegetables before or as they ripen, and clean up fallen fruit.
  • Suspend birdfeeders out of reach from April to November.
  • Do your part by following local garbage regulations and avoid a fine.
  • Follow the set-out times for your municipality. 

Increased bear activity across the Tri-Cities is directly related to the availability of food. Bears are food-driven and will feed on natural as well as unnatural food sources including garbage, bird feeders, suet, and fruit. After bears find a meal once in a garbage cart, they quickly learn to check all the homes on a street and teach their cubs to do the same. Bears that regularly eat garbage lose their natural fear of humans and can become habituated to accessing unnatural food sources.

The public is advised to contact the Provincial Conservation Officer Service 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) or at www.rapp.bc.ca if they witness an aggressive or threatening bear, or if there is a conflict that threatens public safety. 

Be Cautious on the Trails:

  • Travel with someone else or a group.
  • Be alert where bears may not be able to see, hear, or smell you.
  • Make noise (talk loudly, clap or sing) to let the bear know you are there.
  • Keep children close and dogs on a leash at all times.
  • Watch for fresh bear signs such as droppings, tracks and scratches on trees.
  • Never approach a bear – maintain a distance of at least 100 metres.

For more information about regulations and resources specific to each city, visit your city website: 

www.portcoquitlam.ca/bears 

www.coquitlam.ca/bearsmart 

www.portmoody.ca/bears

CONTACT:

Pardeep Purewal
Manager, Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
604-927-5335
media@portcoquitlam.ca     

Kathleen Vincent
Manager, Corporate Communications
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3019
kvincent@coquitlam.ca

Rosemary Lodge
Manager of Communications & Engagement
City of Port Moody
604-469-4724
rlodge@portmoody.ca

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