The Kelowna Conservation Officers Service is asking residents to be wary of leaving out unprotected garbage after the wildlife agency received 129 reports in August of bears accessing exposed trash, subsequently jeopardizing public safety.

91裸聊视频淧eople aren91裸聊视频檛 the only creatures being pushed around by the fires,91裸聊视频� said Kelowna conservation officer Ken Owen.

91裸聊视频淲ith the recent wildfires within the Okanagan, bears and other wildlife that live in the adjacent forest fringe areas to our communities have suddenly been displaced.91裸聊视频�

Owens noted that once a bear obtains discarded foods from garbage, it will become single-minded and more determined to access food sources, even going as far as to break into homes.

91裸聊视频淏ears that become highly food-conditioned and habituated to humans are often destroyed because of concerns for human safety,91裸聊视频� he said.

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Under the Wildlife Act, he said that conservation officers can issue dangerous wildlife protection orders (DWPO) if food attractants 91裸聊视频� such as garbage 91裸聊视频� pose a significant safety risk by drawing bears into public areas.

91裸聊视频淭he DWPO directs the person in charge of a premise to move or remove food attractants within a reasonable time,91裸聊视频� said Owens. 91裸聊视频淔ailing to abide by the terms of a DWPO may result in a violation ticket or further follow up.91裸聊视频�

He added that Kelowna conservation officers will be joined by the West Kelowna Wildsafe BC Coordinator in conducting bear attractant audits within the City of Kelowna and West Kelowna and the Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD), where they will be enforcing the Wildlife Act and educating the public in removing or securing non-natural attractants.

91裸聊视频淭hese bears, when relocated, often return to their original home territory or become 91裸聊视频榩roblem91裸聊视频� animals in other communities,91裸聊视频� he said.

91裸聊视频淚n addition, translocated wildlife often fail to adapt to their new habitat and, as a result, may starve to death or be killed by the animals that already occupy the area.91裸聊视频�

He offered the following tips to prevent one91裸聊视频檚 garbage from being accessed by bears:

• Keep all garbage securely stored until collection day. Store attractants in a sturdy building or place in a certified bear-resistant garbage container.
• Manage your fruit/nut trees and berry bushes responsibly. Pick ripe and fallen fruit/nuts daily. Remove unused fruit/nut trees. Install bear electric fencing which is cheap and portable.
• Bird feeders often become bear-feeders, so only feed birds during the winter months.
• Take feeders down between April and November. 1 kg of birdseed equals 6,600 calories. Keep ground free of seeds.

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aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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