Be aware of those bears
This is the time of year people must be more vigilant about bears.
Fruit is ripening and the bears are focused on boosting calorie intake for their upcoming hibernation.
"I got a call from the conservation officer," says Bear Awareness co-ordinator Quille Farnham.
"There are sightings of bears in Lac la Hache and 108 Mile Ranch neighbourhoods."
This has been a good year for fruit trees, Farnham says, adding the riper the windfall the more attractive it is to bears. She suggests people pick their fruit rather than leaving it on the ground.
The 100 Mile Lodge Community kitchen will take fruit, Farnham says, adding the entrance to the kitchen is around the back of the lodge, and people can bring fruit on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"They have a fruit press now and can use the fruit for cooking, too."
If anyone has excess fruit, Farnham suggests they bring it to the kitchen, or get neighbours or friends to help pick it for their own use.
Residents should also make sure their garbage is kept securely enclosed until the day of pickup, Farnham says.
She adds residents have to be very careful about not attracting or irritating bears by trying to chase them off.
"Bears can run about 50 feet per second and they can start out faster than a racehorse, so people have to be careful."
For more information, e-mail Farnham at 100mile@bearaware.bc.ca.
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