The warm spring temperatures mean our wild friends are starting to wake up from their winter slumber.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) says preventing wildlife conflicts starts at the curb by properly managing attractants like household garbage. Unsecured garbage, bird feeders and pet food can draw bears and other wild animals into urban neighbourhoods and increase the risk of conflict with humans and pets.
“Don’t let your waste management habits lead a bear into your neighbourhood,” said Cynthia Coates, RDCO solid waste services supervisor. “Garbage is the most common bear attractant. By keeping it stored indoors until collection morning, residents can reduce the risk of bears or other wildlife getting into carts and becoming a nuisance.”
The RDOC says we need to store waste securely and place carts at the curb on the morning of collection, not the night before.
Local Solid Waste Management bylaws state garbage, yard waste and recyclables must only be put out between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
“Bears and other wildlife have a remarkable sense of smell,” Coates said. “If they are rewarded with a food source, they can become food-conditioned and return, putting people and animals at risk. This is preventable.”
WildSafeBC reinforces these tips, emphasizing the importance of removing unintended food sources. This includes taking down bird feeders during bear season, cleaning barbecues after each use, keeping pet food indoors and managing fruit trees so fallen fruit doesn’t attract wildlife.
Other tips to avoid a potential conflict include rinsing bottles, cans and other recyclables before placing them in your cart, Freeze food waste until collection day, Never include meat, dairy, or cooked food in the compost bin, store pet food inside and avoid storing food in outdoor fridges and freezers.
Under the BC Wildlife Act, it is an offence to intentionally or unintentionally feed or attract dangerous wildlife (bears, cougars, coyotes, wolves).
Residents can report human-bear conflicts, aggressive bear behaviour or the feeding of dangerous wildlife to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1.877.952.7277.
