Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers have received several complaints of a grizzly bear frequenting yards and fields in the Dimsdale area.

Officers set up a trap to capture the bear, and on November 2, a female grizzly bear was successfully captured. It was relocated in a more suitable natural area near Grande Cache. Officers have also set up another trap in Beaverlodge area this weekend, but no bears have been captures in the area so far.  

Especially during this time of the year, bears continue to put more and more focus on calorie intake to prepare for hibernation. Many of the natural food sources that bears have relied on during the summer period may no longer be available, so bears will travel more in order to find another food source. If the wandering bear smells something that they believe is a food source, they are more likely to investigate the source of the smell at this time of year, knowing that they must eat as much as possible in order to survive the winter. It is of utmost importance that residents properly secure any possible attractants. Bears coming into residential areas to feed on unnatural food sources is a public safety risk because they are easily habituated and may defend the food source.

·Residents should store garbage in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers or buildings. Only put out your garbage on the day it is going to be collected, and keep them in a secure location prior that.

·Any possible attractants should be cleaned up and removed as soon as possible if not immediately to avoid habituation of wildlife.

·Pet food should never be left outside and stored in easy access for bears to obtain.

·Residents should clean barbecues and outdoor food use areas after use.

·Gardens and fruit-bearing trees or shrubs attract bears, and should be removed.

More information can be found at: https://www.alberta.ca/living-in-bear-country.aspx

Information provided by the Government of Alberta