The Sunshine Coast is home to many wildlife species, including black bear, cougar and coyote. Be prepared, take some time to learn about wildlife biology and behaviour. The WildSafeBC website www.wildsafebc.com includes great information about B.C. wildlife and how to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Black bears are omnivores. About 80 per cent of their natural diet consists of plant matter (grasses, berries, clover and dandelions) and the rest of their diet consists of animal protein (insects, fish, carrion and small mammals).
Black bears still represent the highest number of human-wildlife conflict calls to the Conservation Officer RAPP line 1-877-952-7277. This is primarily due to human produced attractants such as garbage, birdfeeders, compost, barbecues, fruit trees, domestic pet or livestock feed, and outdoor fridges and freezers. Remember that a bear is always looking for an easily accessible food reward.
There are few opportunities to relocate black bears here on the Coast, and as a result, many bears in conflict are destroyed.
There are many wildlife corridors throughout Sunshine Coast’s parks and developed areas. These corridors offer an easy means of travel for wildlife via beaches, trails, and creeks, along with the protective cover of forest, brush and berry patches. Your home is most likely near one or another of these corridors, so it is extra important that you manage your wildlife attractants responsibly.
When hiking or biking, make plenty of noise to avoid surprise encounters, especially near running water. Your voice is the best early warning system for bears — if they hear you early enough, they will usually avoid you. Keep your dogs leashed, as they can often provoke defensive behaviour in a bear. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
If you do encounter a bear: don’t run, just remain calm. Always leave the bear an escape route and remember that bears normally want to get away from you as much as you want to get away from them. For more on bear safety, see https://wildsafebc.com/black-bear
