Residents were stunned to see an adult male grizzly bear walking through downtown's streets this week, apparently lured by garbage cans left outside of homes.
The bear has reportedly been in the 樱桃视频Estuary since early this week.
The Conservation office is now asking residents to avoid Estuary trails after a hiker and dog reportedly scared the grizzly when officers were just about to capture him.
The drama began Wednesday (May 16) at 6:18 a.m. when a citizen on Fifth Avenue reported a grizzly bear sighting to RCMP. Members attended, used sirens to scare the bear into the 樱桃视频Estuary and contacted the Conservation Office. Pictures of the animal led to conservation officers' confirmation that it was indeed an adult male grizzly bear.
It's the first time in at least 10 years that a grizzly has entered the downtown, said conservation officer Chris Doyle.
"I'm not sure if it was just curious or looking for food," said Doyle. "There is good natural habitat in the Estuary, so it's possible the bear was feeding naturally and it got a whiff of garbage from the nearby residents and decided to check it out."
The bear returned to the area Wednesday morning, and was again seen at 8:30 a.m. near Fourth Avenue and Pemberton Avenue.
A live culvert trap was set on Victoria Street at around noon Wednesday, said Doyle, and more traps were set Thursday (May 17) in the 樱桃视频Estuary after residents reported sightings of the bear spanning back to Monday (May 14).
More Estuary sightings occurred Thursday.
RCMP say residents' improperly stored garbage cans were the main cause for the visit.
"This bear has been attracted to garbage containers in the area and has been rummaging through garbage," states an RMCP news release. "Conservation officers are asking that residents take control of their garbage and store it in proper containers inside a garage or shed to prevent wild animals such as these from being unnecessarily lured from their natural habitat into areas where they may conflict with people and may end up having to be destroyed."
Doyle said he spotted numerous garbage cans out on downtown streets and "it would take weeks" to knock on everyone's doors to remind them to keep garbage inside.
"We have spoken to some residents," he said Wednesday afternoon.
"A lot of people aren't at home, and there already is a bylaw in place prohibiting leaving garbage outside."
The grizzly does pose a danger to people, said Doyle, although generally speaking, no more so than any other bear.
"But grizzlies can be a little more aggressive at times, especially if they're defending a food source, so it's best to be cautious," he said. "But really it's up to the residents to prevent the conflict from occurring in the first place. If garbage isn't left out, the bear isn't likely to hang around town."
Anyone spotting the grizzly or any other bear is asked to call the Conservation Office at 1-877-952-7277.
