Being Bear Aware

Here's some handy tips to remember the next time you're in BEAR COUNTRY.

The Truth About Bears...

As the human population increases and people encroach on what was once wilderness, interaction and conflicts between bears and people become more common. These encounters can be dangerous - all too ofter the are fatal for the bear.

Did You Know?...

Bears have an incredible sense of smell. They can smell garbage and other potential food sources over great distances. When bears learn that garbage means food, they come back to it again and again. Our odour remains on the garbage, so bears learn to associate people with food. This is dangerous. These bears may become aggressive, expecting food every time they see or smell people.

What Bears Eat...

Their natural diet consists mostly of berries, green vegetation, roots, insects, grubs, and dead animals.

If You See A Bear...

* Remain calm. Don't panic. Often the bear is simply looking for food and will move on if it finds nothing to eat.

* Keep away from the bear and go inside and bring children and pets indoors.

* Never approach the bear and do not run from the bear. Do not act submissively by crouching down or whispering.

* Warn others of the bear's presence, but don't do it by yelling.

* If the bear climbs a tree, keep people and pets away. Eventually when things quiet down, the bear will come down and leave. This usually happens after dark when the bear feels safe.

(Source: BC Conservation Foundation)
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