The bears are getting ready for hibernation, and so is WildSafeBC Castlegar.
The Castlegar program wraps up for the year on November 30, and local coordinator Tara Pejski says it was a successful season.
“This was a really great year in terms of bear activity. The number of reported bears and human-bear conflicts was quite low. So that’s something that we’re always happy to see.”
Pejski had a busy year working with the community to prevent harmful human-wildlife interactions through education and conflict-reduction strategies.
As part of this work, WildSafeBC, in partnership with the City of Castlegar, held a ‘BC Goes Wild’ event in September, which Pejski says was a highlight of this year’s program.
“We hosted a free family movie night at the old movie theatre, and we were at full capacity. It was so great to have so many people from the community come out. I also had a record number of people attend our free bear spray workshop, which was always awesome to see. People are going outside, recreating, and staying safe while they do that, and that’s something we always love.”
Pejski credits this year’s success to the community’s vigilance in ensuring curbside organic bins are locked and secured, as well as the launch of the City’s fruit tree cleaning program.
“I think people are just becoming more educated, more aware, and putting forth that extra effort to keep their yards clean. We’ve been able to spread the word about bear attractants and that what attracts bears also attracts raccoons, skunks, rats, and other animals.”
As far as she knows, Pejski says no bears have been destroyed in Castlegar this year. However, this information is relayed through BC’s Conservation Officer Service and won’t be confirmed until January when WildSafeBC’s year-end report is published.
Even though the bears may be in hibernation until next year, Pejski warns that other animals remain in the city year-round and asks residents to continue doing their part in ensuring attractants are removed.
“It’s important for residents to stay diligent about wildlife attractants. Continue keeping your garbage and organic bins locked and secure. Don’t put out your recyclables the night before. Even when bears are hibernating, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and deer are still active and drawn to these attractants and we don’t want to attract any of these animals.”
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