Achi news desk-
Wildlife officials are working to capture and relocate a bear that has been active in a southwest Calgary neighborhood.
The Discovery Ridge Community Association informed residents that there was an active bear in the area last week.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife closed part of Griffith Woods Park, including some trails. Bear traps were set to catch the animal.
The community said the bear reportedly accessed residential waste bins that were stored outside, but not secured.
“Do your part and ensure that wildlife, especially bears, cannot access the contents of your bins,” the community association advises.
“This will be one of the key factors in protecting residents and the bear.”
Residents are encouraged to follow Bear Smart City of Calgary practices for household waste, which include:
- Don’t put carts out overnight;
- Place carts between 5 am and 7 am on collection day;
- Put carts away after collection; a
- Store your cart in a garage or other safe location.
Last year, the city passed an amendment to its waste bylaw that allows areas to be designated as “impacted wildlife,” which placed stricter restrictions on waste collection.
The City of Calgary has temporarily declared Discovery Ridge a wildlife affected area due to fall activity. The designation expired in November 2023, according to the city’s website.
Ward 6 Cllr. Richard Pootmans, who represents the area, said the city is seeing compliance from residents with the city’s updated collection rules.
“We hear that the process is working as planned. Last year, we learned a lot about waste and waste management and taking care of the bears,” he told reporters on Monday.
“One has arrived early this year, it seems, and we are operating in the same manner.”
Although getting residents on board was a “challenge,” Pootmans said the city received fewer calls about wildlife in the area this year than it did last year.
“So I think a lot of people who had concerns when we were first going through this process, a lot of those concerns were dealt with well by the administration to make sure that the bears are protected,” he said.
“We have to make sure we remind ourselves that we are out to look after the bears but we have to make sure we look after the children as well.”
The city said not to panic, gather children and pets quickly and go inside if you see a bear.
Bear sightings and encounters can be reported to Fish and Wildlife at 310-0000 or 1-800-642-3800.
