The Nelson Police Department is reminding residents to keep their properties free from food and trash that might attract bears.
The NDP issued a warning Tuesday, reminding the public that this is the time for bears are looking for food. It asked residents to ensure that garbage, compost, and waste products are disposed of in a secure manner to avoid any possible confrontations with wildlife.
One local wrote to The Star this week to warn about a black bear hanging around his Co-op complex in Rosemont.
“Today it came right up into my backyard, and sniffed around to my front door, in the middle of the day, twice,” said James Gackle, who lives near Silverking Road.
“Our Co-op is sort of closed off, so there are not too many places for a bear to leave once it enters our complex, without encountering people and children,” he said, adding the bear has been spotted sniffing around dumpsters and recycling bins at other apartment complexes in Rosemont. “The whole area around the Co-op always has children out playing. The Co-op administration has been made aware of it and Conservation has been informed as well.”
“The bear seems to be looking for food, and it doesn’t appear to be afraid of busy streets, people, etc.,” he added. While bears aren’t uncommon in the area, “this one is brave enough to come up to closed off entry ways and walk ways where people and kids always are.
“Unfortunately it seems to be possibly looking for trash.”
Residents can learn about how to make their properties less attractive to wildlife by visiting the WildsafeBC website at https://wildsafebc.com/.