Conservation officers are warning Sunshine Coast residents of increasing grizzly bear activity in the region. In a statement, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service says it has responded to reports of “several grizzly bears” frequenting residential areas including Pender Harbour, Madeira Park and Sechelt. Officers believe the bears are staying in neighbourhoods because of the many fruit trees, and urged residents to manage attractants by picking fruit from trees and off the ground, securing their garbage and removing bird feeders. “Don’t give bears a reason to linger in communities and create risk to people and themselves,” the statement reads. The BCCOS also reminded residents to be aware of their surroundings, keep pets on a leash and travel in groups. Advice on how to keep yourself and grizzly bears safe can be found on the WildSafeBC website.
