This isnB次元官网网址檛 Jellystone National Park, and chances are pretty good that Yogi Bear wonB次元官网网址檛 be trying to steal your picnic basket this summer. Picnic basket or not, you still could be attracting the attention of your furry neighbours without even knowing it.

B次元官网网址淲e are lucky to live in a place that is also home to bears and cougars,B次元官网网址� says Nitya Harris, B次元官网网址渁nd if we choose to live in bear and cougar country, it is our responsibility to know what habits and actions attract these animals and what we need to do to avoid conflict.B次元官网网址�

Harris chairs the Coexisting with Carnivores Alliance, a regional group that works with government and community to prevent human conflict with bears, cougars and wolves.

B次元官网网址淏ear (sightings) tend to go up and down every year. The summer of 2013 was extremely busy, 2014 not as busy, and 2015 is expected to be an average year,B次元官网网址� said Peter Pauwels, regional conservation officer for Vancouver Island.

Conversely, cougar sightings have remained relatively the same over the past 20 to 30 years, with any rise in the trends being accounted to more people living in the area.

B次元官网网址淪ightings for both species are most likely to occur during the summer. ItB次元官网网址檚 lighter for longer in the day,B次元官网网址� said Pauwels. B次元官网网址淧eople are out hiking and biking.B次元官网网址�

He added that in the winter months people are more likely to be inside, which makes sightings more rare, especially since bears hibernate in the winter.

If you do encounter a bear or cougar, Pauwels said, B次元官网网址淒onB次元官网网址檛 approach the animal, give the animal an avenue of escape, and get out of its way.B次元官网网址�

Harris encourages West Shore residents to be bear wise and cougar aware with a few simple tips.

B次元官网网址� Put garbage and kitchen scraps out the morning of collection day (not the night before).

B次元官网网址� Store garbage in a secure location like a garage, shed or basement and dispose of it regularly.

B次元官网网址� Keep containers clean, with lids tightly closed and out of the sun to help prevent odours that will attract animals.

B次元官网网址� Line the bottom of totes and layer compost with paper products to help absorb moisture, minimizing clean-up and odours.

B次元官网网址� Store proteins, especially fish and bones, in the freezer until collection day to reduce odours and insects.

While hungry bears are scavengers with great memories of food sources, cougars will cover a large territory and may stop in an urban area if prey are in the neighbourhood.

Cougar country

To avoid conflict with cougars:

B次元官网网址� Keep pets like small dogs and cats indoors at night.

B次元官网网址� Feed pets inside or bring in uneaten food as the smell might attract cougars or potential prey.

B次元官网网址� Keep bird feeders clean and the ground under them clear will also help deter rodents and other animals, like deer, that often fall prey to cougars.

B次元官网网址� Small livestock and chickens are also easy targets, so maintaining an electrical fence and keeping feed properly secured will help deter cougars.

B次元官网网址� The ultimate deterrence is not feeding deer or other wild animals as they can attract larger predators into residential areas.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com