Residents in Rocky Mountain House woke up to messes in their driveways on Sunday after two young grizzlies reportedly rummaged through garbage cans in the town.
According to a Facebook post from Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, there were unconfirmed reports that two bears had been in the north end of the town, getting into garbage cans, compost bins and other attractants.
Paul Sywanyk, an Alberta Fish and Wildlife officer, said the agency received a number of phone calls about two young grizzles in the town.
“We got photos sent to us as well, from people in the town that saw the bears,” he said Monday.
“It’s kind of hard to judge size sometimes, but we figure that they’re probably two and a half years old to three and a half years old.”
Photos shared by the agency showed garbage bins in the front of homes tipped over with their contents strewn about the driveways.
“These cubs will stay with their mother… two to three years and then she’ll kind of let them on their way,” Sywanyk explained.
“They’re kind of like teenagers leaving home for the first time. So they’re kind of let out into the world to kind of figure things out, and so that’s what these guys are doing.”
Sywanyk believes the bears entered the town from the north, attracted by the smell of food and garbage. He said it’s believed the bears rummaged through at least 20 to 30 properties.
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“Luckily, the only damage they did was just knocking over garbage bins. I’m not aware of anything where any property was actually damaged. But you know, they’re definitely brave enough to be in town and that’s definitely a concern when they’re walking down the street.”
As a result of the bear activity, Alberta Fish and Wildlife closed trails along the North Saskatchewan River with signs and closure tape. Officials are advising people to stay away from the area as officers work to trap the bears.
Sywanyk said the bears haven’t displayed any aggressive behaviour, but Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers are actively trying to trap the animals. It’s hoped the bears can be relocated, but Sywanyk said that will depend on how food-conditioned or habituated to a highly populated area they are.
“People need to be aware that even if we do catch them and relocate them, that other bears will fill that void,” Sywanyk said. “That’s just the nature of living in bear country. We’ve been a little bit complacent with where we live.”
Officials are reminding residents that they should be taking steps to keep bears away from unnatural sources of food.
“All residents of the Town of Rocky Mountain House are reminded to store garbage, compost and other wildlife attractants in bear-proof containers, or a building that cannot be accessed by bears,” Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement said.
“Improperly stored garbage is the most common cause of human-bear conflicts.”
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