Bears tend wander into neighbourhoods this time of year. Here's what you should know
Bears are about to eat and drink non-stop as they get ready for hibernation, and the public is being urged to take simple steps to ensure the animals have a safe fall.
They will be on the move seeking food wherever it can be found, like apples on trees or fruit lying on the ground.
“Right now, citizens and municipalities have to be extra careful and mindful that bears are hungry,” said Aaron Hofman, director of advocacy and policy with The Fur-Bearers.
“Right now, a lot of fruit trees and berries are ripe across British Columbia,” he said.
Historically, September is not a safe month for bears. The Fur-Bearers estimate that over that past 10 years, on average, 118 black bears have been killed during the month each year.
Bears that can’t find food in the bush seek it out elsewhere. Their strong sense of smell often leads them to residential neighbourhoods, and that’s where they find themselves in danger.
The public is being asked to collect all ripe fruit from their properties, including what’s fallen to the ground.
Any attractants like garbage should also be removed.
In the Shuswap region, crews are collecting rotting food left behind by residents and business owners who had to flee with little warning due to wildfires.
“We do want to give a shout-out to the (B.C.) Wildfire Service for ensuring that the food is taken away, and that these attractants are removed from the premises,” said Hofman.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7029443.1725744633!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
Police release video of Toronto plaza shooting that killed university student
A university student from Brampton was killed when two shooters fired indiscriminately into a crowded plaza in Toronto last month in what police say was a 'cowardly act.'
'Hopeless and helpless': Regina mother seeks help to treat rare spinal disease
Mary Grace Rico is seeking help in getting treatment for a rare spinal condition.
The iPhone is getting a 'glow' up. What to expect from Apple's Monday event
Apple excited fans with its vision for its 'Apple Intelligence' artificial intelligence system earlier this year. Now, it's time for the company to prove it really works.
No more porta-potties at B.C. construction sites starting Oct. 1
What some B.C. construction workers describe as the worst aspect of their jobs will be coming to an end next month, the province announced.
BREAKING Numerous people shot in Kentucky near Interstate 75, officials say
Several people have been shot near Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s office.
'Extremely vigorous' wildfire activity in central B.C. prompts crews to back off for safety
The wildfire fight in central B.C. intensified Friday, according to officials.
Trump campaigns in Wisconsin just days ahead of debate with Harris
With just days to go before his first — and likely only — debate against U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris, former U.S. president Donald Trump leaned into his familiar grievances about everything from his indictments to the border as he campaigned in one of the most deeply Republican swaths of battleground Wisconsin.
They were due to leave for their dream cruise in May. Three months on they’re still stuck at the departure port
It was the years-long cruise that was supposed to set sail, but saw its departure postponed… postponed… and postponed again.