North Vancouver RCMP is warning residents and providing bear safety tips after increased encounters within populated areas. Last night, North Vancouver RCMP responded to four separate bear sighting incidents.
While bear sightings are common in North Vancouver, police have seen an increase in these reports in recent weeks.
In most cases, bears are observed going into residents’ driveways and ripping open their garbage and compost bins for food. In one instance, a man was seen within five feet of a bear.
“There is always a concern for the safety of the residents, their pets and the public when bears are confronted,” said Constable Mansoor Sahak, Media Relations Officer for the North Vancouver RCMP. “The RCMP is taking the opportunity to remind residents once again that they play a significant role in determining how bears will interact with humans.”
Improperly stored garbage or other attractants remain the number one cause for bears to be in contact with humans. Educate yourself along with the children in your home. Residents can be intentional in preventing such encounters by:
Keeping garbage inside until the morning of collection
Consider obtaining a bear-resistant garbage container
Store pet food indoors
Remove bird feeders during bear season
Keep your barbecue clean
If you see a bear, remain calm. Often, the bear just passes through, and it will move on if it finds no food source. Keep well away from the bear. Calmly bring your children and pets to an area of safety. Give the bear escape options. If you encounter a bear and it appears to be threatening, call the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 or the RCMP at 9-1-1.
Educating people for how long? ENOUGH!! 604 bears KILLED last year, 2 KILLED in N.V. and 3 in Lions Bay, this year. This is disgraceful!! All these murdered bears, for a mouthful of garbage. Time to get tough with the offending people, not the bears! FINES, FINES, FINES. That is all people pay attention to.
ENough with these bears. The kids are in danger. Think of the kids. Murder all these bears. KIll them all and save the children.
Typical. Move onto, and into a mountain full of trees and wildlife, then complain about and CUT DOWN the trees, and complain about and KILL the wildlife. YOU, need to move to a concrete and asphalt city centre.