February 18, 2003
PORT MOODY - The City recommends that residents remove bird feeders and to take care with garbage receptacles and compost bins to avoid attracting black bears onto their properties. Many bears are still awake as a result of our mild winter and bears that did hibernate are expected to be "up" earlier than usual.
 A black bear damaged this backyard bird feeder February 17.Bird seed and suet, a staple in local birds' diets during a normal winter, are not being eaten in bird feeders as much as natural sources of food are still available. Seeds, nuts and suet are particularly attractive to hungry bears. Often bears will destroy feeders, and look to that yard for more treats as winter progresses.
Garbage should be left indoors, either inside a garage or inside your house or shed, until 7:00 a.m. on garbage pick-up day. Putting garbage out the evening before violates City bylaws governing the proper disposal of refuse and can attracts bears, raccoons, rats, coyotes, crows and gulls. Residents that compost, should only put fruit and vegetable peelings into their compost bins (no bones, meat or dairy products). A layer of dirt over fresh kitchen scraps helps the composting process and reduces odors.
Habituated bears – bears who are accustomed to human sources of food – are problematic in urban areas. Provincial Conservation Officers have no alternative but to destroy such bears as relocation has been proven to be ineffective.
When walking in wooded areas, make noise or wear bear bells to alert bears to your presence. Dogs should be leashed. Bears are normally wary of humans and will move out of your way if they hear you nearby. If you encounter a bear, try to give it a wide area to retreat, back away from it, and calmly make noise. Try talking to the bear – ask it to go away. This will help calm both you and the bear. Bears very rarely attack humans – there are thousands of encounters with bears throughout Canada each year and very few attacks – however all wild animals should be regarded with a healthy dose of caution and respect to avoid any problems. If you are attacked, roll into a ball to protect your stomach and face and cover your neck with your hands. "Playing dead" can be effective. Never get between a mother bear and her cub. Climbing a tree or outrunning a bear are not effective as black bears are very capable tree climbers and can run as fast as 50 km/h in short bursts.
Most bear sightings do not require reporting, however any bears displaying unacceptable or aggressive behaviour should be reported to the Port Moody Police at 604-461-3456 or the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-800-663-WILD (9453).
Contact the City of Port Moody's Community Services Department, Environment Division at 604-469-4572 for more information.
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