Black bear accessing non-natural food sources in Downtown Squamish
The District of Squamish and Conservation Officer Service is urging Squamish residents to take extra steps in securing attractants, specifically garbage and dumpsters, to protect the wellbeing of a black bear in the Downtown area. The bear is frequenting Second Avenue, Third Avenue, Fourth Avenue, Stan Clarke Park, Pemberton Avenue and Main Street in search of unsecured attractants on a daily basis.
It is the responsibility of each resident and business to ensure there is no access to non-natural food.
Let’s all do our part to ensure this bear has the best chance of survival.
How you can help:
-
Abide by the Squamish Wildlife Attractant Bylaw;
- Be proud of your neighbourhood and pick up litter/garbage;
- Secure all dumpsters and totes;
- If possible, store totes in a garage or shed;
- If your totes are stored outdoors, anchor them to prevent them from tipping;
- Reduce odours by freezing food scraps and store them in your freezer until collection day;
- Keep totes locked and secured until the morning of collection;
- Place totes curbside only on the morning of collection and never the night before;
- Rinse all recycling.
Once a bear has become food-conditioned and human habituated, there are limited options for its management. A tragic outcome can be avoided if the community does their part.
If you have a broken or damaged tote please contact GFL for a repair or replacement by calling 604.892.5604 or emailing squamishtotes@gflenv.com.
Report a Wildlife Attractant Bylaw infraction: 604.815.5067.
Report wildlife sightings to the COS 24/7 hotline: 1.877.952.7277.
