The Regional District of the Central Okanagan is warning about the presence of bears in some regional parks after seeing an increase in reports of sightings.
“It’s not unusual, we just opened 8 of our regional parks that had been closed over the summer because of the fire hazard and now people are back in there,” says Bruce Smith, Communications Officer “Of course this time of year we’re starting to receive more reports of evidence of bears and bear activity.”
There is also Kokanee salmon spawn and ripening fruit attracting the bears.
Evidence that bears are around is already occurring along the Mission Creek Greenway, in Mission Creek and Scenic Canyon regional parks. They’re also known to frequent other more natural regional parks like Woodhaven Nature Conservancy, Bertram Creek, Johns Family Nature Conservancy, Kalamoir, Glen Canyon and Rose Valley.
To reduce your chances of an encounter with a bear, Smith recommends traveling in a group and making noise as you walk. Dogs are also legally required to be kept on a leash.
If you see a bear, give it plenty of space and stay away.