Bear season officially began for some residents in the area north of the Victoria General Hospital when they spotted a black bear in their backyard just before 8 a.m. Sunday (June 10).

Residents in the 1900-block of Burnside Rd. W. called Saanich police when they saw the bear attempting to climb their fence. The bear, believed to be moving in the general direction of the Highland Pacific Golf Course, was no longer on site by the time police arrived.

Though itB次元官网网址檚 been a slow year for bear calls in Saanich, conservation officer Peter Pauwels said sightings in rural-urban interface areas, such as Burnside Road West, are common.

B次元官网网址淓very year we do get a bear or two that will wander over from the Highlands and get into West Saanich and weB次元官网网址檒l get a few calls,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淣ormally theyB次元官网网址檒l turn around and head out because itB次元官网网址檚 too busy for them.B次元官网网址�

The sighting was one of eight so far this season in Saanich, with the majority of calls having originated closer to Prospect Lake. As no further sightings have been reported, Pauwels believes the bear has left the area.

Pauwels advises contacting the conservation officer service if a bear is acting aggressively or has travelled into an urban area. For residents of rural Saanich, he reiterates the annual bear wisdom: do not leave attractants, specifically garbage, outside of the home.

B次元官网网址淎t this time of year, bears are hungry,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e looking for food. B次元官网网址� If thereB次元官网网址檚 nothing for a bear to eat, heB次元官网网址檚 not going to hang around.B次元官网网址�

The Victoria field office of the conservation officer service can be reached at 250-391-2225.

nnorth@saanichnews.com