There are fewer nuisance bears being killed in the city this year, and fewer overall complaints, but there is one thing still causing conflicts between the animals and residents.
"Ninety-nine per cent of the calls we get have the same attractant bringing the bears around, and that is garbage," said Rachel Caira, the Bear Aware community co-ordinator for Prince George.
Fruit trees, compost, bee hives, etc. are not the main culprits this year.
Wildlife officials are hoping people store their trash properly, including keeping your can in until the morning of garbage collection to improve an already better year for the beasts.
"We are at pretty much half of what we were at last year. It is much, much better this year. We are following more of a historic pattern," said Caira.
"Last year it was so dry there was little for them to eat, so the bears stuck around. It is so cool this year, and more moisture; there is a lot more to eat so they are not causing as many problems this year."
There are still several areas where bears are being sighted, which include the southern half of the Hart, mainly on the east side of the highway, as well as in neighbourhoods around Moore's Meadow and along North Nechako Road.
Caira said the Inverness neighbourhood is once again a frequent spot for bear encounters, as it is most years.
If you see a bear in town that is destroying property or is a risk to human safety, please call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
For more information on how to manage backyard bear attractants please visit www.bearaware.bc.ca and www.northernbearawareness.com.
If you would like to book a free group presentation or sign up to volunteer please call 250-649-8745 or e-mail at [email protected].
Bear Details
(year-to-date statistics)
Bears killed in 2010: 10
Bears killed in 2011: 5
Bear complaints in 2010: 296
Bear complaints in 2011: 169
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