The number of problem wildlife complaints in the North Okanagan zone since Jan. 1: 560 and counting.
That number makes the zone the third highest in the province behind Sea to Sky and Maple Ridge which are traditionally one-two in B.C.
“We have been extremely high on complaints,” said North Okanagan Conservation Services Sgt. Josh Lockwood, whose zone covers the vast region from Peachland to Revelstoke and east to Arrow Lake.
Leading the way has been bear complaints, including one close call a week ago in Coldstream.
A black bear was destroyed at Lavington Park after it went into a tree, the same tree that had been occupied five minutes earlier by children from a school who were playing in the park, celebrating end-of-school festivities.
What lured the bear to the park is a problem Lockwood hears far too often: garbage.
“The issue in that case was garbage cans in the park that weren’t bear-proof,” he said. “Residents nearby tell us that bears regularly attend to those cans.”
Conservation is working with District of Coldstream parks department staff on such an issue.
So far this year, conservation officers have destroyed seven bears in the North Okanagan and an eighth was going to be down Monday after being trapped near Lumby.
Officials have also set up a surveillance camera in Coldstream after a reported cougar sighting near Harper Drive.
