Bear sightings drop 75 per cent

Prince George saw an approximately 75 per cent drop in bear sightings this year compared to 2010.

As of Thursday, Northern Bear Awareness coordinator Rachel Caira said there were approximately 480 bear sightings called in to the Conservation Officer Service - down from approximately 1,900 by this time last year.

Last year was a record year for bear sightings in the city.

A total of 12 black bears were destroyed by conservation officers in the Prince George area this year. In 2010, officers were forced to destroy 88 black bears.

In a press release, Caira said there were three main factors which resulted in less bear-human conflicts in the area this year.

"First, we had a wet spring and summer which resulted in an abundant natural berry crop - this provided plenty of sustenance for the bears, not forcing them to look for unnatural attractants in urban areas," she said. "Secondly, following the poor food year of 2010, anecdotal evidence points to the possibility that a number of yearling cubs did not survive through last winter. Finally ... the removal of 88 animals from the local population last season simply resulted in fewer bears in the immediate area, leading to fewer animals coming into the city. "

The majority of bears have already begun hibernation, she added, but there may still be a few active bears in the area.

If you do see a bear destroying property of posing a risk to human safety, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277. For more information on how to manage bear attractants, or to volunteer with the Northern Bear Awareness Society, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.northernbearawareness.com.