COQUITLAM, B.C., Sept. 26, 2022 – Coquitlam is asking residents and businesses to make sure their property isn’t a source of food for bears this fall as they fatten up for winter.
As the weather cools and days grow shorter, bears begin to actively seek out easy and plentiful food sources to help them prepare for winter denning. This increase in feeding activity is called hyperphagia and helps bears survive without food for months in their den.
Guided by massive appetites and a keen sense of smell, bears find unsecured garbage carts, dumpsters and other food sources near homes and businesses to be an irresistible draw. If you see a bear accessing attractants, please call 604-927-3500 or email urbanwildlife@coquitlam.ca.
Help Keep Bears Away
Coquitlam residents and businesses can keep bears away from their property by making sure all attractants—including garbage, food scraps, pet food, fallen fruit, bird feeders and dirty barbecues—are out of reach of wildlife.
Secure your waste carts and bins:
- Store garbage, food waste and recycling in a secure area that is inaccessible to wildlife, such as a locked garage or shed;
- Only place carts and bins at the curb after 5:30 a.m. on collection day – not the night before; and
- Keep carts and bins odour-free by freezing smelly garbage and food waste until collection day and regularly cleaning them.
Remove other attractants:
- Pick ripe fruit and berries and remove fallen fruit from the ground;
- Hang bird feeders high out of reach and clean up fallen seed;
- Keep pet food inside;
- Store refrigerators and freezers indoors;
- Keep garage doors closed and secure; and
- Clean barbecues.
Be a good neighbour:
- Help neighbours with their carts if they are away, work shifts or are elderly;
- Take Coquitlam’s Bear Smart Household Pledge at www.coquitlam.ca/bearsmart and receive a Bear Smart decal for display; and
- Share what you know and encourage others to be bear smart.
Report bear activity:
To report wildlife attractants, improper storage of attractants or wildlife accessing attractants, contact the City by calling 604-927-3500 or emailing urbanwildlife@coquitlam.ca. To report a conflict with wildlife that threatens public safety or causes property damage, call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
For more information about bear safety and securing attractants, visit www.coquitlam.ca/bearsmart.
The Cost of Feeding Bears
Feeding bears and other wildlife is illegal. Bears may become bold or aggressive if they become too familiar with unnatural food sources. Property owners who allow wildlife to access attractants—even unintentionally—may receive a $500 fine. These bylaws are explained at www.coquitlam.ca/bearsmart.
More information:
Media contact:
Caresse Selk
Manager Environment
urbanwildlife@coquitlam.ca
604-927-3500