A food-conditioned cinnamon-coloured black bear was destroyed by the Conservation Officer Service on June 28. This bear had been previously captured outside the community and relocated. It eventually made its way to Elkford and began repeating previous food-conditioned behaviour and was accessing garbage left outdoors. A resident was issued a violation ticket under the BC Wildlife Act for attracting dangerous wildlife to their property with unsecured attractants.

WildSafeBC urges the public to secure their garbage and food to avoid teaching bears to associate humans with sources of food. Food-conditioned bears are more likely to get into conflict with people and be a potential safety risk in the community. For more information on how to keep bears and other wildlife wild, please visit https://wildsafebc.com/species/black-bear/

Thank you to the Parastone Volunteer Trail Crew for all your hard work and for putting up our WildSafeBC Mountain Biking and Bear Safety signs at Trail heads. Be prepared and expect to encounter wildlife anytime when out on the trails. The safest encounter is one prevented! Have fun and be safe.

June 16.  Bear sightings reported throughout Fernie,  Ridgemont residential, Dog park, New Horizons, Old Stumpy Trail, Montane residential and on the Montane trails. Be prepared and expect to encounter bears anytime.

For tips on preventing human/wildlife conflict go to www.wildsafebc.com

A moose and calf were reported in West Fernie on the dike trail and in the pond at the end of McLeod Street. Moose sightings also reported in James White Park. A dog was chased by the moose defending her calf in West Fernie. Dogs chasing/barking at wildlife can result in conflict. Keep dogs leashed for everyone’s safety.

Moose are wild animals and need to be given space and privacy. Stay safe by keeping an appropriate distance. Moose are not normally aggressive but can be very dangerous if approached or startled, especially females with calves. Given the sheer size and strength of these animals, moose are capable of inflicting serious injuries. For more safety tips go to https://wildsafebc.com/moose/

moose deserve their space and privacy

WildSafeBC Coordinator Kathy Murray will be hosting a virtual Bear Safety for Mountain Bikers Presentation via Zoom.
WHEN? Saturday June 6 at 10 am.

Topics Include
-Bear identification, black or grizzly bear
-preventing and responding to bear encounters
-how to safely use bear spray

Please email your community coordinator Kathy Murray, fernie@wildsafebc.com for a link to register for this free presentation.

A grizzly bear was reported on Red Sonja Trail yesterday evening, June 9th by the creek crossing 200 metres above Burma road.  Be prepared and expect to encounter wildlife anytime. 

For more information on grizzly bears visit https://wildsafebc.com/grizzly-bear/

May 29.  There have been daily reports of a black bear and two cubs (one brown and one black) all along 4th avenue late at night and late afternoon yesterday by the boat launch in Fernie.  Never approach or feed wildlife.  If you see a bear, stop, stay calm, identify yourself as human and not prey by using your voice and back away slowly.  For more bear safety tips go to https://wildsafebc.com/black-bear/ and/or watch this short video https://youtu.be/nxK0-5DKtoM on how to respond to bear encounters.

May 27.  Two bear cubs (one black and one brown) photographed below eating dandelions ( natural food for bears) have been seen throughout the James White Park Area and Mt Proctor and Mt Minton Streets. Bears also reported In the Fernie Mobile Home Park, Ridgemont and West Fernie.  Help us keep Fernie safe for people and bears.  Remove anything (garbage, bird feeders etc.. ) that may attract them and help your neighbors do the same.

Photo by Joan Johnson

May 18.  A black bear and 2 cubs (1 brown and 1 black) reported on Ridgemont Avenue last night and early this morning.  Be prepared and expect to encounter bears throughout Elk Valley communities.

WildSafeBC Coordinator Kathy Murray will be hosting a virtual Wildlife Safety and Safe Use of Bear Spray Presentation via Zoom.

WHEN?   Thursday May 21 at 7 pm. 

Topics Include

-Bear identification, black or grizzly bear

-preventing and responding to bear encounters

-how to safely use bear spray

Please email your community coordinator Kathy Murray, fernie@wildsafebc.com for a link to register for this free presentation.