(CKPG News File).

By Aaron Schulze

Bear Business

Burns Lake RCMP reminds public of bear safety after several sightings

Oct 2, 2021 | 9:54 AM

BURNS LAKE, B.C. — Burns Lake RCMP say they have received several calls of bears seen in the village, with three calls this past week.

One of these bear sightings was in an area close to Lakes District Secondary School.

Conservation Officer Service (COS) and RCMP continue to patrol the areas and are asking residents to be cautious and aware of their surroundings.

Burns Lake RCMP say they typically see a spike in bear reports from early May through September as residents and visitors come in more frequent contact with the animals. While seeing a wild animal up close can be shocking, police say it’s important that residents understand the facts on bear encounters and how to react if it happens.

According to the COS, a very small percentage of human-bear interactions result in attacks or even aggressive/threatening behavior. In most cases the bears are simply observed going about their bear business.

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Anyone who sees a bear that is going about its regular bear business are asked to leave it alone and not cut off its escape path, as it is normal for bears to roam through urban areas, especially as development encroaches on wild space.

Bears are attracted to several human produced attractants such as garbage, barbecues, ripe fruit, and bird feeders. Anyone who encounters a bear feasting on these food sources, or a bear that is acting threatening or aggressive, are asked to call the COS 24-hour hotline at 1-877-952-RAPP.

Dispatchers can provide advice for sightings when public safety is not threatened, and a Conservation officer may be dispatched depending on the circumstances. If the bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911 for police response.