Grizzly bear sighting on B.C. Gulf Island prompts warning

A grizzly bear fishes for salmon along the Atnarko River in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park near Bella Coola, B.C. Saturday, Sept 11, 2010. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

A grizzly bear has made its way from the British Columbia mainland to Texada Island in the Strait of Georgia, prompting a warning to residents and visitors.

Officials with the qathet Regional District, which includes the communities of Powell River and Lasqueti and Texada islands, say the adult male grizzly was first spotted in the island’s Pocahontas Bay area, southeast of the community of Van Anda.

The bear, which has a yellow ear tag, spent about a week in the Powell River area before apparently swimming to the B.C. Gulf Island.

“Texada residents are urged to be bear aware and take steps to prevent the bear from accessing human food,” the regional district said in a public notice Monday.

“This is critical to avoid the bear becoming habituated to local communities.”

Residents are urged to report sightings of the bear to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

The bear did not demonstrate any aggression or cause conflict while in the Powell River area, the regional district said.