Sickly bear spotted

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Bears are on the move in Naramata.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and WildSafeBC say there are reports of a very thin, single bear on upper Juniper Road, loitering and coming close to houses.

WildSafeBC has posted sign boards at the Arawana post boxes and at the Naramata RDOS field office.

"This young bear appears unthrifty and sickly," said Zoe Kirk, WildSafeBC community co-ordinator. "When bears ingest plastic bags, plastics or even glass from unwashed containers, it can stop the digestive process and the bear slowly starves, becomes ill, or both."

There is also a sow and cubs moving along the creek, that runs past the school and through the village, but this bear family unit has not caused any conflict.

Kirk said so far residents have been active in calling the RAPP Line, and trying to deter the bear with noise makers and having bear spray handy in case it gets too close.

These are all good tools to have when living along a bear corridor, such as Juniper Road and Upper Debeck Road, she added.

WildSafe BC asks that anyone seeing the single bear call the RAPP Line at 1-877-952-7277 and let the operator know that this bear is being actively sought to allow the Conservation Officer Service to assess it and make decisions based on the history of conflict and its physical shape.

The reports are reminders to make sure residents practice good habits including keeping garbage locked up until day of pick up, cleaning off barbecues and taking down bird feeders and removing all seed.

It is also important to keep pet food or any other food source off of decks and the exterior of homes.

Bears will even try out gas cans, so make sure containers with fluids are also safely stored away, Kirk said.

When new residents move in, it is a neighbourly act to let them know about being bear smart, or provide the new resident’s address and names to WildSafeBC, so they can follow up with a package of information.