Grizzly bears have been seen just west of Fernie in the Elk Valley Nordic Centre area. Bears will defend three things, food, cubs and their space. Leaving garbage accessible to bears in a backyard, under a carport, on the front porch or in an open dumpster can lead to human/wildlife conflict. Do you really want to get between a bear and a food source (garbage)? Expect bears to be around for another few weeks so please lock up garbage and all other attractants and give bears a chance to return to the wilderness to den for the winter.
A grizzly sow and two large cubs were seen on a property on highway 3 a few kilometres west of Fernie and on Ben Emmet trail in Mt Fernie Provincial Park. Black bear sightings reported on the dike trail behind Mt Minton in Mountainview and on the dike trail in the Annex.
The safest wildlife encounter is one prevented. Lock up your garbage and bears will move on. For more information on wildlife safety, go to http://www.wildsafebc.com.
