It’s that time of year again when the bears come looking for easy meals in the Village.

They have been spotted in just about all areas of Gold River and at all times of the day and night.  Yesterday one bear was spotted in the afternoon crossing Nimpkish Drive, then heading up the hill towards Chamiss Crescent.

As most of us know by now:

• Keep garbage secured
• Pick any fruit left on trees and berry bushes
• Take down bird feeders
• Keep pet food indoors
• Clean BBQ’s after use
• Properly manage compost

*For those of you with chickens in your backyard, it is recommended that you install electric fencing around your chicken coop and run.

To report bear interactions where public safety is at risk, please call Conservation at 1-877-952-7277.  As per the Ministry of Environment, Conservation Officer Service website:

“Conservation Officers respond to conflicts with dangerous wildlife where there is a risk to public safety. Examples of these situations include responding to attacks, bears breaking into buildings, repeated dangerous wildlife encounters at or near public locations, and situations where dangerous wildlife has become habituated (no longer afraid of humans) or food conditioned (dependent upon human provided foods) and now presents a risk to public safety.

Conservation Officers do not respond to routine sightings, normal wildlife behaviour, such as wildlife transiting through greenbelts or forested areas, nuisance conflicts or conflicts that do not pose a risk to public safety, or to situations where the complainant can take simple measures to address the problem, such as securing garbage, removing bird seed, or properly managing compost.”

If there is an immediate threat to public safety, please call the Nootka Sound RCMP at 250-283-2227.

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