COQUITLAM, B.C., September 29, 2026 – Bears are currently out and about searching for food as they prepare for the hibernation months of winter. Residents can avoid conflict with bears by securing any attractants that could bring wildlife into their neighbourhoods and onto their property.
Bear Activity Increases in the Fall
Before winter, bears enter a phase called hyperphagia, in which their appetite increases to ensure they get the extra calories to bulk up before hibernation. This natural drive sends them searching for food wherever they can find it. Bear sightings are common in Coquitlam, and often, bears are just passing through neighbourhoods to move between natural habitats. If bears can’t easily find food in residential neighbourhoods, they will simply move on.
How Can You Help?
Residents can make their homes and yards more bear-resistant with these simple steps:
- Secure Your Attractants: Store garbage, green waste and recycling in a garage or heavy-duty enclosure. Only put carts out after 5:30 a.m. on the morning of collection day, never the night before. Keep all lower-level windows, entrances and garage doors locked to avoid unwanted visitors.
- Keep Carts and Bins Odour-free: Freeze strong smelling food waste until collection day and regularly clean your carts.
- Clean Up Your Yard: Pick fruit from trees, remove bird feeders, clean up spilled seeds, and bring pet food inside.
- Be a Good Neighbour: Take the Bear Smart Pledge and share what you know with friends and neighbours to help keep wildlife safe.
Why It Matters
Leaving garbage and green waste accessible to bears and other urban wildlife is prohibited. Under City bylaws, allowing wildlife access to unsecured carts can result in a $500 fine. Feeding wildlife is also illegal under the Provincial Wildlife Act. By securing attractants and removing the temptation, residents can help keep bears safe and wild.
If you see a bear:
- Stay calm and try to keep at least 100 metres away
- Do not scream, run or approach the bear
- Speak in a calm, low voice while slowly backing away
- Warn others to avoid the area
Reducing Bear Conflicts Together
As one of 12 designated Bear Smart communities in B.C., Coquitlam uses education and enforcement to raise awareness and ensure everyone is doing their part to keep both bears and humans safe.
To report wildlife attractants, including garbage or green carts set out curbside the night before collection, contact Bylaw Enforcement at 604-927-3580 or BylawEnforcement@coquitlam.ca.
To report a conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety or causes property damage, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
Learn more about bear safety and City requirements at coquitlam.ca/BearSmart.
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Senior Manager Environment
604-927-3500
epw@coquitlam.ca
We acknowledge with gratitude and respect that the name Coquitlam was derived from the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (HUN-kuh-MEE-num) word kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (kwee-KWET-lum) meaning “Red Fish Up the River”. The City is honoured to be located on the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm traditional and ancestral lands, including those parts that were historically shared with the q̓ic̓əy̓ (kat-zee), and other Coast Salish Peoples.