Prince George RCMP reminding residents to be bear aware

The Prince George RCMP usually see an increase in the number of bear reports through the spring and summer months, but the number has been unusually high this year.

According to Conservation Officers, there were 400 calls for bear sightings in the Omineca Region (including PG) just in the first week of August.

“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,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper.

The Prince George RCMP has the following tips for bear encounters:

• 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 for more tips.
• If the bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 9-1-1.