Bear sightings and encounters on the rise in Prince George this August…

PRINCE GEORGE

Friday, August 11, 2023. Last updated on August 21, 2023.

The Prince George RCMP is sending out a message to residents following an unusually high number of calls reporting black bears within residential neighbourhoods.

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A bear walked on up the front yard to PJXM News on Sunday night just after 9:30 pm on August 20, 2023. This is the third time in over a week a black bear has been in the lower 15th Ave area of Prince George. – PJXM News video.

“While seeing a bear up close can be alarming to residents, it is important for everyone to understand what to do during a bear encounter,” states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP.

*A black bear at a tree on Burden Street in Prince George on Monday, August 14, 2023. – Facebook*

While black bears are typically found roaming across the city, they have been most notable in the central core, Heritage and Foothills Blvd areas of town as these areas are close to the Nechako river and vast forested areas. Wilson Park has a resident black bear and Moore’s Meadow has several black bears living within the forest. Residents who walk within these areas are urged to be bear aware as we head into fall.

Moore’s Meadow. Black bears do live within the nature park of Moore’s Meadow on 1st Ave and on Foothills Blvd. The nature park is 150 hectares in size and is a wildlife wonderland. – PJXM News Photo.

Below are some tips from the RCMP…

*Bear scat on the trail within Wilson Park located on Ospika Blvd North. This area has resident bears who live within Moore’s Meadow, Wilson Park and Forests For The World.* – PJXM News Photo.

Prince George RCMP has some helpful tips for the public if you encounter a bear:

While the Conservation Officer Service is interested in tracking bear sightings in urban areas,
the police are an emergency response agency that should only be contacted if the bear poses
an immediate threat to public safety.
If you see a bear that is going about its regular bear business such as walking through your
yard, trails, or open park spaces, don’t panic: leave it alone and do not cut off its escape path.
It is not unusual for bears to occasionally roam through urban areas, especially as
development encroaches on wild space. Report the sighting to the COS.
Bears are attracted to a number of human produced, non-natural attractants such as garbage,
BBQs, ripe fruit and bird feeders. To report a bear conflict or aggressive bear, call the COS
24hr Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
A $300 fine can be issued for keeping wildlife attractants such as fruit, bird feeders, or
garbage accessible to bears and other wildlife.
Set your garbage cart at the curb only between 4 a.m. and 7 p.m. on collection days.
Failing to follow this bylaw regulation will result in a $100 fine. Keep your garbage
secure at all other times.

Check out the City of Prince George’s Learn to be Bear Smart information sheet (in English
only) for more helpful tips.

If the bear poses an immediate threat to public safety call 9-1-1 for police response.
To report a wildlife attractant bylaw infraction, such as garbage cans being put out too early, contact Prince George Bylaw Services at 1-250-561-7622 or bylawstaff@princegeorge.ca