As predicted, we're seeing an increase in bear activity throughout all neighbourhoods. This is a busy time of the year for bears as it's pretty much "crunch" time, literally and figuratively speaking.
The next few months are the last opportunity for bears to pack on the pounds before entering hibernation in mid November.
In 2009, there was ample natural food for them - the abundance of berries throughout the year provided the bears with adequate food and this in turn resulted in a reduction in sightings.
This year we had a weak start to summer, some intense summer heat and now a wet September resulting in a berry crop that is scattered and minimal. Bears are governed by their stomachs and they go where the food is.
Because there aren't a lot of berries, they're staying low in the valleys where they're still finding the odd unlocked garbage tote, dumpster or fully loaded freezer.
Bears have entered a period called hyperphagia. They are increasing the amount of time spent foraging for food and they are foraging outside of their normal home range boundaries.
During this period, bears will forage for up to 20 hours a day and consume upwards of 20,000 calories a day.
That's like us eating 50 hamburgers every day. It is crucial that we keep them moving through the community, not stopping and getting into trouble. Last week, a mom and two cubs spent the day in an oak tree next to Municipal Hall; the family had an acorn feast and then moved on.
Another mom and two cubs are making their way through Brackendale and are being successful with finding unlocked garbage totes. Some residents have seen the cubs knocking over the totes, just like mom has shown them to do.
Over the past week, a bear has managed to gain access to and kill 28 chickens, one duck and one rooster at five different residences in Brackendale. Backyard poultry are a wildlife attractant. A trap has been set for the bear; its fate is unknown at this point.
For more information on how you can be Bear Aware, please contact [email protected] 604-815-5066
