The Conservation Officer Service is reminding the public of the importance of reporting any problematic wildlife.
“In our area and in a lot of rural areas, just a sighting of a bear or an example would be a cougar is not unusual, so if it’s just a sighting and someone calls in that’s great. It just gives us information,” says Len Butler, Inspector of the Thompson-Cariboo region.
“If it’s more of a serious nature that the bear was showing threatening, aggressive moves, or in garbage a report is necessary. We don’t want the bear to go to that next step where all of a sudden they could be in a schoolyard and we’re already behind on the eight ball on this.”
Butler says immediate reports are greatly appreciated as it keeps them aware and where they can decide on a course of action from there.
He says the only reason of bears within Cities is garbage adding that people continue to keep garbage and attractants such as dog food outside.
“If they’re passing through that’s one thing-sure that happens, but if they’re staying they’re staying for a reason. It isn’t because they like being around people, it’s because they’re getting fed and of course this time of year they’re trying to build that fat layer so they can have a good sleep.”
Despite reports on social media of a bear which allegedly chased an individual on Carson Drive in Williams Lake, Butler says the only report COS received Friday was of a sighting of a black bear at about 7:49 am near the Fraser Inn going towards the highway.