The Conservation Officer Service and the City of Cranbrook received numerous calls from the public about a mother bear and her cubs spotted Wednesday morning around the Highlands School area.
These same bears are also believed to have been identified wandering through the Rotary trail greenbelt area between Brookview Crescent and the 2300 block of 5th Street South. Conservation Officers are on scene now and are tracking and monitoring these animals.
The public can expect to see a growing number of bears and perhaps an increase in bear issues over the next month, as bears will be foraging for food for the winter. Bears are starting to move closer to communities where food may be more easily accessible.
It is important for people – especially in the periphery of the City — to be very diligent with managing their garbage properly and cleaning up any fallen fruit from trees on their properties. Bears will be hungry and looking for easy meals.
Please do not contact City of Cranbrook Bylaw staff or the local branch of the SPCA with wildlife issues. They are only able to deal with domestic animals – not wildlife.
If you see or have issues with any wildlife, including bears, please contact the provincial RAPP line to report it at 1-877-952-7277, 24 hours a day, 7 days per weeks. This information is passed along directly to the local branch of the Conservation Officer Service, where it is recorded and depending on the wildlife issue it will be responded to.
