West Kelowna residents warned to be vigilant amid 'exceptionally high' levels of bear activity

West Kelowna residents have been warned to be on guard amid “exceptionally high” levels of bear activity in the city.

Neighbourhoods of particular concern include:

• Glenrosa

• Westbank

• Smith Creek

• Shannon Lake

• Rose Valley

But the City of West Kelowna warned that other neighbourhoods – including those around Mt Boucherie – are also “experiencing visits from bears.”

The City explained that bears are striving to increase their body weight by about 30 per cent in preparation for the winter, leading to more encounters with humans.

Alongside this more intense eating phase – known as hyperphagia – bears are also thought to have been displaced from their usual habitat due to drought and wildfires.

This has meant that “fall bear activity started earlier than usual,” the City explained, adding that it “is currently at an exceptionally high level.”

“All residents have a critical role in preventing conflict situations from developing by managing attractants – thus keeping both the bears and people safe,” the City said.

It added: “Practising good attractant management is especially critical right now. Conflict situations arise when bears have access to unnatural foods including garbage, fruit trees, and birdseed.”

Residents are advised to use WildSafeBC’s Top 10 Tips to do their part to keep safe:

• Keep your garbage secure – store it indoors, in a secure shed, or in a bear -resistant enclosure.

• Only put your garbage/yard waste/recyclables out on collection day - never the night before.

• Manage your fruit trees so that fruit is picked as it ripens, and no windfall accumulates.

• Bring bird feeders in from April through November – and when they are out, ensure that the ground underneath is kept free of seeds.

• Feed pets indoors.

• Maintain your compost so that it doesn’t smell. Add fruit slowly. Never add meat or dairy.

• Protect fruit trees, beehives and small livestock with properly installed & maintained electric fence.

• Respect wild animals by not feeding them. Food-conditioned wildlife are more likely to come into conflict.

• Keep barbecues clean and odour free.

• Report any wildlife in conflict or bear, cougar, coyote or wolf sightings in the community to the Conservation Officer Service 24/7 at 1.877.952.7277.

Find out more here.