Bear sightings on the rise as fall approaches

It’s time to be Bear Aware again in the Okanagan.

With ripening fruit in orchards and spawning Kokanee salmon returning to streams, reports and sightings of bears are increasing.

“This is the time of year that our field staff and visitors to Central Okanagan Regional Parks start seeing more signs that bears are around,” said Regional District of Central Okanagan communications officer Bruce Smith. “As sightings and evidence of their presence rise, we post signs in affected parks identifying that bears may be active in the area.”

“If possible, visitors should travel in a group and make some noise to alert any bears to your presence,” advised Smith. “As the fall Kokanee salmon spawning season ramps up visitors may encounter bears bulking up on this food source in local creeks and streams. Bears fishing for food may not hear you over the noise of the creek water.”

Smith added if you see a bear, give it plenty of space and stay well away from it. Further advice is to keep children and pets out of spawning streams.

“It’s important to raise your bear awareness at this time of year in order to avoid encounters with as bears can be aggressive, especially when defending their food or their cubs. Bears also have excellent senses of smell and hearing and better sight than you might believe,” Smith remarked.

Unless otherwise designated, dog owners are reminded their pets must be leashed and kept on trails at all times in order to avoid any potentially serious wildlife encounter. (Safety Guide to Wildlife in Regional Parks)

The RDCO Waste Reduction Office and WildSafeBC Central Okanagan remind all residents to reduce potential human-bear conflicts by securely storing any garbage and only placing their garbage cart out on the morning of their regular curbside collection. That helps to prevent attracting bears or other wildlife.

WildSafeBC has more tips for bear awareness and wildlife safety on properties.