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Black bear trouble in Nelson’s Rosemont

Nelson Police Department is warning residents to properly store their garbage as bears are getting into trouble already season.
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A black bear wandered into residential Rosemont last summer. Police are warning about a bear getting into trouble in that neighbourhood again already this spring.

Nelson Police Department is warning residents to properly store their garbage as bears are already causing problems this season.

Police said Thursday they were called to Rosemont two nights in a row for a report of a large black bear that has been visiting a tree in a residential backyard.

Nelson Police would like to remind the public to seal and store their household garbage and attractants appropriately.

Under the City of Nelson Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198, wildlife attractant means any substance that could be reasonably expected to attract wildlife including but not limited to food products, garbage, pet food, seed, restaurant grease, game meat, or glass or metal wear or any other item having contained food.

Contravention of this bylaw could net a homeowner a fine not exceeding $2,000. Further information can be found on the City of Nelson bylaw website or by calling Nelson bylaw at 250-354-3919.

According to Bear Aware, B.C. Ministry of Environment Website from 2004 to 2009, conservation officers in BC had to kill, on average, 538 black bears and 37 grizzlies each year because of real or perceived threats to human safety.

Most of these bears come into conflict with people because they are allowed to access non-natural food sources.

Nelson Police Officers were dispatched to over 20 bear incidents in 2012.

If you come across a bear in the City of Nelson, please contact the Nelson Police or the Conservation Officer at 1-877-952-7277.