The extended spell of milder weather should have all residents of the province thinking about securing bear attractants, says Kathy Murray from WildSafe BC

Murray says that with the mild temperatures and shallow snow pack, it is very likely bears will be out of hibernation soon.

While most sows will have their cubs the last week of January, they tend to stay in the dens until April feeding from their mother. That may not happen this year.

B次元官网网址淚t would depend on the health of the female,B次元官网网址� Murray said. B次元官网网址淗ow much body fat she had going into hibernation.B次元官网网址�

In any event, expect bear activity soon and take appropriate action.

B次元官网网址淭he message to all of us is, if we do have an early spring, bears are going to be looking for food.B次元官网网址�

While the first food source may be new spring plants, in some areas like the Kootenays and the north, we are weeks away from any type of growth. Bears will head into urban areas looking for an easy food source.

B次元官网网址淪pring is the best time of year to keep wildlife wild,B次元官网网址� Murray said. B次元官网网址淚f they get an opportunity to get into garbage, they are not going back into the wild.B次元官网网址�

Murray says in the winter the attitude may be, thereB次元官网网址檚 no bears around so thereB次元官网网址檚 no need to secure garbage. That has to change, she says.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had no reports of bears yet, but once they start emerging, itB次元官网网址檚 too late.B次元官网网址�

Unfortunately for those who enjoy feeding birds in the winter, this also means you should be taking your feeders down.

B次元官网网址淎 feeder full of birdseed is 2,000 calories. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a quick and easy meal for a bear. ItB次元官网网址檚 time to think about bear-proofing your yard.B次元官网网址�

Murray also reminds property owners that anything that attracts a bear will also attract other pests, such as raccoons and rats.

B次元官网网址淭alk to your friends and neighbours about bear proofing now,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭he end results are safer communities for people and wildlife.B次元官网网址�