The extended spell of milder weather should have all residents of the province thinking about securing bear attractants, says Kathy Murray from WildSafe BC

Murray says that with the mild temperatures and shallow snow pack, it is very likely bears will be out of hibernation soon.

While most sows will have their cubs the last week of January, they tend to stay in the dens until April feeding from their mother. That may not happen this year.

91裸聊视频淚t would depend on the health of the female,91裸聊视频� Murray said. 91裸聊视频淗ow much body fat she had going into hibernation.91裸聊视频�

In any event, expect bear activity soon and take appropriate action.

91裸聊视频淭he message to all of us is, if we do have an early spring, bears are going to be looking for food.91裸聊视频�

While the first food source may be new spring plants, in some areas like the Kootenays and the north, we are weeks away from any type of growth. Bears will head into urban areas looking for an easy food source.

91裸聊视频淪pring is the best time of year to keep wildlife wild,91裸聊视频� Murray said. 91裸聊视频淚f they get an opportunity to get into garbage, they are not going back into the wild.91裸聊视频�

Murray says in the winter the attitude may be, there91裸聊视频檚 no bears around so there91裸聊视频檚 no need to secure garbage. That has to change, she says.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檝e had no reports of bears yet, but once they start emerging, it91裸聊视频檚 too late.91裸聊视频�

Unfortunately for those who enjoy feeding birds in the winter, this also means you should be taking your feeders down.

91裸聊视频淎 feeder full of birdseed is 2,000 calories. That91裸聊视频檚 a quick and easy meal for a bear. It91裸聊视频檚 time to think about bear-proofing your yard.91裸聊视频�

Murray also reminds property owners that anything that attracts a bear will also attract other pests, such as raccoons and rats.

91裸聊视频淭alk to your friends and neighbours about bear proofing now,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淭he end results are safer communities for people and wildlife.91裸聊视频�