Alberta Environment & Parks is educating the public about bears emerging from hibernation, and how residents in Peace Country and throughout the province can be bear aware. Community Engagement Lead Norman Brownlee says he thinks for the most part, people in the Peace Region are bear aware, but there are things residents need to remember to reduce the chances of conflicts with a bear.
“You have to be aware of things that can draw them into your backyard,” says Brownlee. “Any sort of food smells, or people leaving garbage out too early. Even bird feeders can draw bears onto your property.”
Brownlee explains bears see the world through their nose, and he warns that even non-food smells such as diesel fuel, paint and gasoline can be very attractive to them because they’re new scents. So far, Brownlee hasn’t heard reports of black bears in the Peace River Valley yet, but when they come with their cubs, they will be looking for food intently because they haven’t eaten since before they went into hibernation.
“Our river valley essentially is a major corridor for all wildlife. They’re getting water by the river, there’s protection down there, and there is also a lot of shrubs and food sources, so we shouldn’t be surprised to see black bears down there in early spring.”
Brownlee says one of the best pieces of advice he gives in his bear education workshops is to be very aware of your environment and look for the signs that there’s bears in the area. He says some signs a bear might be near is holes dug in the ground where bears have dug for food, trees and logs knocked over, and fresh bear scat. Brownlee adds you should carry bear spray if you plan on going on any trails or into wooded areas.
“Black bears, grizzly bears, and other wildlife are a natural part of our environment, and we just have to make sure we have a proper awareness of where they are. We also have to protect ourselves by not drawing them to our properties.”
The Alberta Environment & Parks Bear Smart program helps reduce conflict between the general public and bears by making people aware of bear activity in the area. The program also teaches people how to not attract bears to your property, and how to use bear spray.
Brownlee says the next Bear Smart event is in St. Isadore on April 18th at the Cultural Centre from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M.. They will also be at the Peace River Trade show on April 20th and 21st at booth 85, and the La Crete Trade Show on April 27th and 28th at booth 16.
-JD
