Bears are back - and so is WildSafeBC
By Castlegar Source
WildSafeBC Castlegar is now up and running for 2025. After emerging from their winter dens in April, bears will seek out protein-rich food sources in the valley bottoms, where many communities are situated. There have already been reports of black bears in the Castlegar area and some of these bears have been observed accessing unnatural sources of food. When bears have access to garbage and other unnatural food sources, conflict situations can develop. Bears may become food conditioned, and/or habituated to people. Habituated bears tolerate humans in much closer proximity than what is safe for both bears and humans. Food-conditioned bears may become very motivated to access unnatural food sources, which can lead to property damage or increased concerns regarding public safety. It is particularly unfortunate to see sow bears teaching cubs to forage for unnatural food among people – potentially leading to future conflicts and shorter lives. It is also important to note that it is not just bears accessing these food sources – rats, skunks, racoons and deer will also frequent your yard to attain these attractants. The most effective action we can take to keep bears wild and our communities safe is to keep all attractants secure, including:
• Do not store garbage or other organic waste outdoors. If you have curbside collection, only put the
containers out on the morning of collection day – never the night before. Make sure recyclables have been cleaned.
• Protect fruit trees with electric fencing or pick fruit early and do not let windfall accumulate. Ensure
your compost is well-managed and does not smell.
• Avoid feeding birds when bears are most active (April to November) and ensure birdfeeders are always inaccessible to non-target species such as bears, deer, squirrels, and raccoons. Do not let seed accumulate that may attract rats and other rodents.
• Feed pets indoors and keep pets inside at night.
• Keep your barbecue clean by burning off uncooked food and emptying the grease container.
The City of Castlegar Wildlife Attractant Bylaw includes not just garbage and organic bins but also
recycling. In accordance with the Bylaw, any/all of these bins cannot be placed curbside until the
morning of collection. Setting these bins out prior to 4:00 am may result in a fine.
WildSafeBC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education
and community solutions. It is a program managed and delivered by the BC Conservation Foundation in communities across BC. Tara Pejski, as the WildSafeBC Coordinator for Castlegar, will be returning for her fourth year to assist with:
• Wildlife awareness and safety presentations;
• Bear Spray workshops;
• Bare Camping Information and Support;
• Door-to-door information delivery campaigns;
• Bin tagging (garbage, organic and recycling bins);
• WildSafe Ranger presentations to school-aged children;
• WildSafeBC Business Pledge opportunities.
These activities are provided at no cost, all with the goal of helping reduce human – wildlife conflict for
the upcoming season. Tara can be contacted directly to request information, presentations, course
enrolment and/or general wildlife inquiries. WildSafeBC will also be present at many community events
so please be sure to drop by the booth or follow WildSafeBC Castlegar on Facebook for updates on local
wildlife activity.
For further information on reducing human-wildlife conflict visit our website wildsafebc.com, follow
WildSafeBC Castlegar on Facebook, or contact your local Community Coordinator, Tara Pejski, at
castlegar@wildsafebc.com or 250-608-5404.
Please report sightings of bears, wolves or cougars in urban/residential areas, or wildlife in conflict, to
the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
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