With bear sightings cropping up across the city, Revelstoke’s Bear Aware spoke about what residents should keep in mind when it comes to furry friends.
One in Columbia Park, a couple on the greenbelt; the bears are emerging from hibernation and returning to Revelstoke. After a long winter break, the fuzzy predators are hungry and coming back to their old haunts. Bear Aware’s Maggie Spizzirri said residents shouldn’t be worried about spotting bears at this point in the season but had some reminders to keep the bears and the people safe.
“People are often very surprised that they’re out of hibernation this early,” said Spizzirri.
That the bears are back isn’t out of the ordinary, but it comes with some challenges. With the shoulder season inbound, many residents in Revelstoke will be in a state of flux. Winter workers start to vacate while summer workers are arriving. This, Spizzirri said, can lead to more garbage around that should be properly stored (inside) prior to being disposed of.
After months of no food, Spizzirri said the bears have used up their fat stores they built up in the fall and are hungry. The bears may look odd compared to other times of the season. They’ll be smaller, and emaciated, but Spizzirri said that it’s normal for this time, and that those who spot the bears looking like this shouldn’t be concerned.
“That is how they look,” said Spizzirri, adding “imagine if you didn’t eat for a couple of months.”
The bears will look to feed on different food sources, including young and small animals, and early vegetation. She also said that now is the time that vital education happens between momma bears and their cubs.
READ MORE: Revelstoke’s Local Food Initiative’s summer farmers’ market returns
“The sow will be teaching her cubs like, ‘this is where we find food. This is where we go. Here are all of the resources that I have to show you where food is that gotten in the past,’” said Spizzirri.
Given that it’s a time for education, it’s also a time for Revelstokians to establish a precedent by ensuring there are no food sources.
Alternatively, some bears will have just spent their first winter on their own and may be looking for the easiest food to access, which could be garbage that’s left out.
Spizzirri advised that now is also a good time to prune fruit trees before they open to keep the fruit high off the ground and away from the bears.
While the bears will be hungry and slim as they get on the move again, Spizzirri said the protocol for encounters shouldn’t change. As the hiking trails thaw and open, people should remember to make lots of noise on the trail and to carry bear spray for emergency situations.
If you spot a bear, Revelstoke Bear Aware recommends calling the provincial government’s Conservation Officer hotline at 1-877-952-7277, or fill out their online form.
READ MORE: Columbia South caribou herd extirpated after lone remaining female moved to maternity pen
@ZacharyDelaney
zach.delaney@revelstokereview.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.