Northern Bear Awareness Society says additional Conservation Officers only part of solution

Bears are starting to roam around Prince George after hibernating for the winter.

Sightings have already been reported at various locations in the city and residents are reminded to put away attractants such as bird feeders.

Lisa Cram with the Northern Bear Awareness Society told MyPGNow.com the blame over the large volume of sightings and interactions last year only needs to be pointed in one direction.

“It’s not a bear problem, it’s a human problem. We have created this problem and we can fix it, so the residents can make the effort to secure their garbage then bears won’t be coming into the city and finding food sources. They might still come in, but they won’t find the food sources that are currently available.”

Cram would like to see the Conservation Officer Service fine more people who leave attractants out for the bears to access.

“People seem to respond when they have to pay money. It hits home a little bit more and if we can fine more people for not having properly secured attractants I think that would be beneficial.”

On Monday, a request was made to Prince George City Council to advocate for more Conservation Officers in the city. In August and September of last year, officers received nearly 4,000 calls for service.

Conservation Officer Sgt. Eamon McArthur stated their Prince George district spans from Kluskus Lake to just below McLeod Lake, Cinema and to the Homes River east of McBride.

He added they will be fully staffed in September, but that only gives them five officers.

Cram noted while adding more Conservation Officers is a step in the right direction, holding people accountable for leaving their garbage and attractants out could be the solution.

“Pretty much no CO officer goes into the service for the sake of killing bears. They are there to conserve the wildlife – they don’t want to be doing that, it is a horrible duty (to put bears down) but they need to because people are not doing their duty.”

She adds utilizing bear-resistant bins is another key element.