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Residents and visitors are being reminded to be bear aware when visiting Regional Parks as salmon start to spawn and orchard crops ripen.
As summer draws to a close there’s increased bear activity in the region as bears search for food in the valley.
Evidence of bears has already been seen along the Mission Creek Greenway, Scenic Canyon and Hardy Falls Regional Park. Often bears are also seen in more natural regional parks like Bertram Creek, Glen Canyon, Johns Family Nature Conservancy, Kalamoir, Mill Creek, Rose Valley and the Woodhaven Nature Conservancy.
“Usually around this time of year, our parks staff and visitors start seeing more signs of bears in some of our Regional Parks. As sightings increase, we post signs advising that the animals may be active in the area” says Communications Officer Bruce Smith. “To reduce your chance of an encounter, if possible travel in a group, make noise or carry something that makes noise. During the fall fish spawning season local creeks and rivers can be teaming with spawning salmon. As a result, visitors may encounter bears taking advantage of this plentiful food source. Bears fishing for food may not hear you over the noise of the creek water. If you see a bear, give it plenty of space and stay well away from it.”
Avoid encounters with bears and all wild animals whenever possible and keep your pet on a leash at all times to ensure their safety. Bears can be very aggressive when defending their food or cubs and it only takes a second for them to react. Keep food stored properly and garbage’s secured, including only putting out the bin in the morning of collection days.
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