OKOTOKS – Home owners west of the small city of Okotoks are worried following several bear sightings this year.
Ranae Widney has seen wildlife on her ranch in the past, but she’s worried after grizzly bears made their way onto her property where her dog is kept outdoors.
“They were just chasing him, swatting him,” Widney said. “He just jumped out of the way… it was scary because they’ve got long claws”.
The grizzlies have made several appearances at acreages along Highway 549 between Okotoks and Millarville.
Gary Akins said nine of his calves have been killed by bears this year.
“Ideally I would like to see them trapped and taken out of here,” Akins said.
Officials with Alberta Fish and Wildlife say rural areas are prime bear habitat.
Officer Philip Marasco insists that the bears have not shown signs of aggression.
“The reports we’ve had of the bears in the Millarville area they range from indifferent to total avoidance,” Marasco said. “When the bear is given the option to leave, they just leave.”
Officers investigated the dead calves at Gary Akins’ ranch and determined they weren’t actually killed by bears, the bears were simply scavenging.
Bear traps have been set up in the area but Akins worries that as more acreages pop up, the problem will get worse.
“The problem is high density of population, when you have high density like we have here it sets up for a real problem,” Akins said.
Alberta Environment has not determined where the bears would be relocated to if they are trapped.
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