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Municipality and Province encourage residents to reduce bear encounter risks
Wood Buffalo’s black bears are busy searching for food this summer, whether that means berries on the trails or food scraps in a garbage bin. Everyone has a role in reducing bear encounter risks over the next few months.
The Municipality is working closely with Alberta Fish and Wildlife and has begun the process for creating an official BearSmart plan for the region.
Raising awareness and educating community members on ways to reduce human-bear conflict and keep bears out of residential areas are part of these efforts.
Protect yourself and bears by putting fruit, food and garbage out of reach
Since the start of April, Alberta Fish and Wildlife have responded to 93 black bear occurrences in Wood Buffalo involving 115 individual bears. Most of these encounters happen in urban residential areas, within one or two blocks of a treeline or forested area. The bears are lured by tempting snacks, including garbage, fruit trees, pet food and birdseed.
Removing or limiting food attractants protects not only residents but also the bears themselves, which are in danger of becoming “problem bears” with little fear of humans. This year, Alberta Fish and Wildlife has had to capture and euthanize six black bears in Wood Buffalo, which is well below average compared to previous years.
“It’s important that people follow simple precautions to ensure their property is BearSmart,” said Tyler Murphy, District Fish and Wildlife Officer with Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services. “That means keeping garbage in a garage, shed, or in a bear-resistant container where possible, picking ripe fruit, removing bird feeders, cleaning your barbeque regularly, and storing pet food indoors.”
When bears become habituated to unnatural human food sources, Alberta Fish and Wildlife is forced to trap these problem bears, for either relocation or euthanasia.
Municipal bear-proof garbage bin program encounters operational problems
The RMWB launched a bear-proof bin program in 2012 for Draper, Saprae Creek, Gregoire Lake Estates and Anzac.
Unfortunately, the program ran into significant challenges as these bins use a manual locking mechanism that sometimes seizes up, and residents often forget to unlock them. The steel-reinforced bear-proof bins are also much heavier. Due to these challenges, many residents have stopped using the bear-proof bins.
In addition, all collection trucks are designed to use an automated lifting arm. If the bin needs to be manually opened and handled by staff, it causes major delays and safety concerns.
Residents should not be bear-proofing collection bins themselves. RMWB Environmental Services is exploring alternative bear-proofing methods. Right now, the best way residents can discourage bears from raiding garbage bins is to minimize the amount of time their garbage bins are left on the street. Garbage bins should only be put out on the morning of collection.
Be BearSmart when using trails or near treelines and forested areas
Residents walking near treelines or in forested areas should carry bear spray and a whistle/air horn in an easily accessible location (ex. clipped onto a belt).
If you encounter a bear, Alberta Fish and Wildlife advises you not to run, to stay close to the people you are with, and to watch the bear to respond to what it is doing.
“When you encounter a bear, the best thing to do is give it space,” said Murphy. “Likely, the safest route for you is the way you came, so back up slowly. Always keep your eyes on the bear and don’t draw unnecessary attention to yourself. If the bear starts to approach or show interest in you, you should grab and prepare your bear spray.”
“You can also use a whistle or air horn to try to scare the bear away, as bear spray is a last resort and is only effective at close range,” Murphy added. “After the bear has retreated, look for a safe place to move inside and report your encounter.”
Report bear sightings
To report non-emergency bear sightings, residents can call the 24/7 Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or #3800 from a cell phone. For emergencies, residents should always call 9-1-1.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife are the leading authority and trusted information source for bear safety in the region. To learn more, visit alberta.ca/bearsmart.
For more information on the Municipal BearSmart program, visit rmwb.ca/bearsmart.
For further information or questions, contact PULSE at 780-743-7000 or online at rmwb.ca/pulse.
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