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Bear facts:

Bears are as fast as racehorses, on the flats, uphill or downhill

Bears are strong swimmers.

Bears have good eyesight, good hearing, and an acute sense of smell.

All black bears and young grizzlies are agile tree climbers; mature grizzlies are poor climbers, but they have a reach up to 4 metres.

If a bear is standing up it is usually trying to identify you. Talk softly so it knows what you are. Move away, keeping it in view. Do not make direct eye contact.

Whether you're enjoying Cariboo-Chilcotin campsites, lakes, forests or hiking trails, it's wise to remember that you're in the natural habitat of black bears, as well as grizzly bears - depending on your location. Bears have a keen sense of smell, and are attracted by the odour of human food and garbage. To avoid conflicts with bears, prepare and be aware.

These are just some helpful suggestions to help you and your family stay safe:

While staying in bear country

Always keep children nearby and in sight.

Always sleep in a tent - not under the stars.

After a meal, store leftover food away from your campsite in sealed plastic bags and, if possible, in bear resistant containers.

Keep your site clean. Burn food scraps and fat drippings thoroughly in a fire. Drain dish water away from your camp site.

Four bear cubs rescued by the in Smithers will soon be released near to where they came from.

Two of the cubs are from Williams Lake, one is from Riske Creek and the other is from Likely. The cub from Likely is aptly named ‘Likely’, after the community that helped rescue him after his mother was killed by a vehicle. ‘Cara’ was found around Riske Creek where it was reported she was alone at the time.

Some helpful reminders on what you should do if you see a bear:

If it does not approach

If spotted in the distance, do not approach the bear. Make a wide detour or leave the area immediately.

If you are at close range, do not approach the bear. Remain calm, keep it in view. Avoid direct eye contact. Move away without running.

If the bear approaches

If the bear is standing up, it is usually trying to identify you. Talk softly so it knows what you are. If it is snapping its jaws, lowering its head, flattening its ears, growling or making 'woofing' signs, it is displaying aggression.

Do not run unless you are very close to a secure place. Move away, keeping it in view. Avoid direct eye contact. Dropping your pack or an object may distract it to give you more time. If it is a grizzly, consider climbing a tree.

 

 

Bears are not tame, gentle or cuddly; they are unpredictable and potentially dangerous.

Although most bears are simply travelling through and make every effort to avoid humans, a bag of garbage or some unattended food on a picnic table may be irresistible to their keen sense of smell.

A fed bear is a dead bear

Don't be a contributor to food-conditioning.

Bears that scavenge food begin to associate food with humans, and become 'food-conditioned'.  Food-conditioned bears lose their natural fear of humans and become a threat to residents as they roam through communities in search of an easy meal.

There is little or no chance of correcting a food-conditioned bear and Conservation Officers are forced to destroy them when they threaten the safety of or become aggressive towards humans.

By Michael Toay

Part one in a series.

Spring has sprung. And, with the springing of spring comes the return of the bears. The first bear sightings of the season were reported in the Williams Lake area this past weekend.

Sergeant Len Butler of the Cariboo-Chilcotin Conservation Service wants to remind everyone there are things they can do make the summer more … bearable.

Every year, there are complaints about bear activity in the vicinity of homes and population centers, and every year, bears end up being killed by authorities.  Last year alone, there were 1,576 problem wildlife complaints in the Williams Lake / Quesnel / 100 Mile House regions.