Squamish seeing bear activity earlier than usual

WATCH: Our warm weather is bringing out the wildlife in many areas across Metro Vancouver. Catherine Urquhart explains.

A family in Squamish has put out bear traps in their backyard after seeing one in their backyard multiple times already this year.

“We would normally see a few bears pass through in the summer, but we’ve never seen them here in February, and definitely we would never see a bear every day,” says Jaime Morum, who says it’s necessary to protect her two young children.

Bear sightings are common in many communities in and around Metro Vancouver, but usually don’t start appearing in urban areas until the Spring.

But there have been two reports of bears in the Garibaldi Highlands this week on the City of Squamish’s website. The unseasonably warm weather this month means some plants are already growing, which may provoke some of them out of hibernation earlier than usual.

WATCH: The above-average warm temperatures this month doesn’t bring all good news for the west coast. Elaine Yong explains how outdoor activities are being reorganzied to accommodate the conditions.

“This stretch of nice weather has been very long. We had an increase amount of bear activity…that will be the difference this year,” says conservation officer Simon Gravel.