Rebecca Watson
Caledonia Courier
More than eight bear calls have been made to the RCMP over the past week coming from all over FSJ.
“This is the time of year they are trying to fatten up and [in regards to food] it’s been a bad summer for them,” said Sergeant Hanson. “ They’re around and not really showing aggression but it will be this way for the next 4-5 weeks.”
Snow on the top of mountains is another factor pushing bears away from their natural habitat. Police are encouraging residents to clean up their yards of any food debris, especially fallen apples. If there are too many to eat residents can take them to the dump. Kim Henderson, a Fort St. James resident says she has seen multiple bears by her home at the highway end of Heathmont Street.
“We ran out and harvested our apples and got 100 cups of sliced apples. We beat the bears to it but it was a close call,” said Ms. Henderson.
On Sept. 10 a bear was trapped on Heathmont Street and removed by conservationists.
A bear has also been seen in the area of Nak’albun school, not in close proximity but if residents see a bear they are encouraged to call the RCMP at 250-996-8269.