Report bear and other wildlife encounters to the BC Conservation Officer Service (COS) RAPP line at 1.877.952.7277.
NRRM Conservation Officers are notified daily about sightings, and immediately in emergencies. In an emergency, call 911 for the Northern Rockies RCMP.
WildSafeBC |
WildSafeBC is the provincial leader in preventing conflict with wildlife through collaboration, education and community solutions. It has evolved out of the successful Bear Aware program and is owned and delivered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation. WildSafeBC provides information on how we can reduce human-wildlife conflicts in all aspects of our lives, including how we live, work, play and grow. WildSafeBC is designed, owned and delivered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation as a partnership between local funding bodies (such as municipalities and regional districts) and the Province of BC. For several years, the Northern Rockies has partnered with WildSafeBC to host a WildSafeBC Program Community Coordinator from May to September. In addition to educational presentations and events in the community, the community coordinator is assisting the NRRM as we work to achieve Bear Smart Community status. The Bear Smart Community Program details the steps and procedures by which communities can reduce the frequency and intensity of human-bear conflicts. The process involves a shift from the reactive management of “problem” bears to the proactive management of the attractants that draw bears into the communities. This management plan includes components on monitoring human-bear conflicts, education, managing waste, implementing and enforcing bylaws, managing green space, and community planning. Kim Eglinski, Community Coordinator - WildSafeBC Northern Rockies | P: 250.775.0860 | E:northernrockies@wildsafebc.com Check out the WildSafeBC Northern Rockies Facebook page for fun and informative events happening locally! |
Reporting sightings |
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Living in bear country |
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How to avoid a wildlife encounter |
Wildlife avoidance is better than having to deal with wildlife directly. Whether it is bear, cougar or a defensive cow moose, it is always better to have avoided a confrontation than to have to try to survive one. Follow these tips to avoid potentially dangerous animal encounters and help keep wildlife and people safe.
The main reason wildlife will come near your home or place of work is for garbage, recycling or other food sources. It is very important (and it's the law in the Northern Rockies) to secure garbage and recycling in a wildlife-proof manner and keep other animal attractants clean and/or out of reach. See the Garbage Disposal and Wildlife Attractants Bylaw for details. |
What to do if you encounter a bear |
Bears and humans love the same habitats. There is a good chance you may encounter a bear in your backyard or on the trails in the NRRM. Being aware and prepared can help prevent potentially dangerous situations for humans and bears. It is normal to be frightened when you encounter a bear but remember that most bears prefer to avoid contact with humans. Understanding the bear's behaviour can help how you decide to react in a defensive or aggressive encounter. Know what to do in case of a bear encounter Bluff chargesA bluff charge is a form of defensive behaviour and indicates that the bear feels threatened and you, or your dog, are too close. It is when a bear charges at a person or dog and suddenly stops, or swerves, before making contact. This behaviour is most often the result of sows protecting cubs, bears defending a food source or due to a surprise encounter. Here's how you can protect bears from feeling threatened, bluff charging or becoming directly aggressive:
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Trail safety |
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What are wildlife attractants? |
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