A black bear has the Prince George Conservation Officer Service asking residents in the Vanway area to secure and remove attractants. This is especially needed between Aldeen Road and Bunce Road.
The bear was first seen last week and there have been three traps set up to catch it. Conservation Officer Kathleen Dyke says the bear is too “trap shy” to be caught.
“It won’t climb into the trap as long as there are available food sources outside the trap which means garbage, barbecue, bird feeders, the sort of thing they can attain very easily.”
Unsecured garbage bins and attractants can result in a violation ticket under the Wildlife Act. Dyke says leaving out attractants and garbage can also affect their attempts at capturing bears.
“Any bear, in any area, can become more aggressive or defensive to its food source the longer that it has a food source to obtain,” she explains.
“The more attractants it can receive can progress the behaviour of a bear and become defensive and aggressive because of it.”
If you see the black bear, it is asked you call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.