Thursday afternoon, conservation officers were called to the green belt behind Spruceland Elementary in Prince George.
According to officer Eamon McArthur, a report of a black bear in the area was called into them.
After an hour spent in the green belt, both conservation and RCMP were unable to locate the bear before receiving another report that it had ventured over to the Spruceland Inn on Central St., just over a kilometre away.
“We responded to the Spruceland Inn where a good samaritan had actually parked his truck to avoid the bear from coming down the stairs and keeping him up on the stair landing,” McArthur told MyPGNow. “That’s where we came in and RCMP stood as security as I was able to successfully dart and tranquilize the black bear.”
Conservation has been conducting attractant audits throughout various neighbourhoods of the city, especially in the evening as a way to identify anyone who may be putting their garbage too early ahead of their collection day.
As for the bear from Spruceland, McArthur said the decision was made to tranquilize and relocate the bear due to there being an absence of a history involving bears in that particular area.
“Myself and my inspector made the decision to relocate the bear north of town,” said McArthur.
According to conservation, despite the weather starting to drop in temperature, they aren’t expecting bears to start their hibernation until November.
As a result, McArthur is urging residents to ensure that they monitor their attractants. He adds the best way to store your garbage ahead of collection day is inside a structure, whether that be your garage or a shed of some sort.
In order to report any bear sightings that may be considered dangerous to the safety of the public, the BC RAPP line is 1-877-952-7277.
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