Bear sightings ramp up

Photo: WildSafe BC

There were a half-dozen black bear sightings in the North Okanagan over the last two days.

Two sightings were reported in Enderby, possibly the same food-conditioned bear snacking on fruit trees and rooting through garbage. One was seen near Cliff View Drive and the other was spotted right downtown.

On Tuesday a likely orphaned black bear was spotted in downtown Armstrong. There was no report of what attracted the bear downtown.

Bear spotted in Oyama

Bear spotted near Kal Tire

An orphaned black bear cub was seen in Vernon on Tuesday south of Ranch Road in Vernon. WildSafe BC says the bear was drawn to bird feeders and was food-conditioned.

There were three bear encounters registered in Lake Country over the two-day span. In one incident, a dead bear was found near the highway in Lake Country on Monday. The other two sightings were on Camp Road and Monte Bella Road.

The increase in sightings is a good time to remind residents that is an offence under the wildlife act to leave an attractant that could bring wild animals into a residential area.

The fine is $345.

The biggest attractant for bears is garbage. Properly secure your garbage, and keep it indoors until pick up, or until you can take it to your local landfill.

Use finished compost, leaves, grass or wood chips to cover fruit or other food waste in your composter. Properly care for your compost by turning it and layering it to reduce odours. 

Make sure to harvest fruit immediately. Remove all windfall fruit. If you own an orchard, electric fencing is encouraged. 

Make sure barbecues are properly cleaned and covered and don’t leave utensils out overnight.

To report a bear sighting call 1-877-952-7277.