Conservation Officers Remind Residents Wildlife is Waking Up for Spring

BC Conservation Officers are getting an increase in bear sightings around Williams Lake.

“It’s consistent with what we would normally see this time of year,” says Conservation Officer Mark Walkosky in the Williams Lake office.

“ As temperatures start to warm up, we get more grass growing, more vegetation growing, things start to move more, and we get more wildlife calls. Nothing to be alarmed about.”

Black Bears have been reported climbing on residents’ decks looking for food and rummaging in outside garbage.

“Just be mindful. Make sure your attractants are secure in a manner where they’re not easily accessible by bears. That means storing it in a garage or a shed or some sort of location where bears can’t easily access it.”

Alongside bears, cougars have also been sighted, Walkosky saying there have been reports that small house cats have been preyed upon recently. Walkosky reminds pet owners to be diligent.

“ We do live close to wilderness, especially with the amount of deer that are near the, the town and the area this time of year. We’re going to have a general increase in cougar activity closer to town. Be diligent. If you’re letting your pets out to go to the washroom that you keep a close eye on them. Don’t leave them out for too long.”

Bears have started to be sighted in Quesnel searching for food; however, Walkosky says there are no reports of cougar sightings in the area, yet.

The Conservation Office advises residents to follow community Facebook Pages on local wildlife to follow sighting reports, or what neighbours are experience. Walkosky asks residents to also call the Conservation Office’s RAPP Line(Reports Against Poaching and Prey) of any sightings.

This way Conservation can better monitor and act on the situations appropriately, and track data to better advise the public.