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By CKPG Today

Bears

Fewer bears killed in Prince George so far this year

Sep 24, 2025 | 1:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — Just four bears have been put down in Prince George this year but the Northern Bear Awareness Society says people need to secure attractants like garbage in order to keep that number low.

The Society says the number of bears killed annually is due to human negligence (i.e. garbage and other bear attractants left unsecured).

Here’s some statistics regarding euthanized bears in Prince George:

• 2022: 32
• 2023: 81
• 2024: 8
• So far in 2025 (to September 19): 4
• The 5 year average (2020-2024) is 40 bears per year
• The 10 year average (2015-2024) is 34.

“We hope that we can keep numbers low this year, but the bears have just started showing up in town over the past few weeks (as is common this time of year), and if people do not secure their garbage and other bear attractants, it commonly results in increased human-bear conflict levels, which results in more bears being killed.

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“I will add that there is a fantastic group of volunteers that has been doing their best to tackle the issue of apples attracting bears, through our partners at the Gleaning Abundance Program (GAP). I expect that these efforts have helped,” says President of the Board of Directors, Nicole Botten.

The Northern Bear Awareness Society says there are numerous ways to secure your garbage:

• Keep garbage indoors, either in your kitchen bin, or in a garage or other location until garbage collection day.
• If you have food waste that is particularly smelly (i.e. bones, fish, etc) you can put it in your freezer until garbage day, to minimize the odour of your garbage.
• Store garbage in a sturdy enclosure or shed, keeping in mind that bears are strong and persistent.
• Garbage should only be put curb-side for pickup on the morning of garbage day, after 4am.
• Cleaning your garbage can to reduce odours will also make the container less attractive to bears.
• Use a ratchet strap to keep your can closed. This will not keep a bear out, but it may deter a bear that can find easier meals elsewhere, and this method is better than leaving garbage unsecured.