Achi news desk-
A recent bear sighting in southwest Calgary could be the result of some residents not following the city’s trash and waste bylaws, a community association says.
Discovery Ridge Community Association says fish and wildlife officials have been forced to close part of Griffith Woods Park, including some trails, after a bear was seen entering residential trash bins stored in inappropriate.
“Unfortunately, there are now reports that the bear has accessed residential waste from bins that are stored outside homes but not secured,” said the association. “Do your part and ensure wildlife, especially bears, cannot access the contents of your bins.”
Information about the closure is available on the city’s trail map on calgary.ca.
A bear sighting in the SW Calgary community of Discovery Ridge has prompted wildlife officials to close some popular hiking trails.
City of Calgary
Calgary city councillor, Richard Pootmans, who represents the area, says post on social media that the wildlife officers of the province have also installed two bear traps in order to try to catch the bear and relocate it.
Located on the edge of Calgary, bordering the Elbow River and the Tsuut’ina First Nation, the Discovery Ridge neighborhood has been a flashpoint between humans and wildlife.
Breaking news from Canada and around the world sent to your email, as it happens.
In October 2022, wildlife officers were forced to kill a black bear and her four cubs after they were seen raiding unsecured rubbish and compost bins in the same neighbourhood.
The decision to kill the bears caused community outrage and prompted city council to change Calgary’s waste bylaws to allow the city to temporarily designate certain communities as “wildlife affected” areas in the event of bears or life another wild becomes a problem.
The change to the bylaw is meant to prevent residents from putting their rubbish and compost carts out earlier than 5 am and requires them to be put away by 7 pm
It also requires them to be stored indoors or in a secure enclosure.
Homeowners who violate the bylaw can face a fine of between $125 and $1,000.
Anyone who sees a bear in the area is asked to report it to Alberta Fish and Wildlife by calling 1-800-642-3800.
& copy 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
