A black bear paid a visit to the Mack residence on Monterey Dr. on Wednesday, May 22. (Tanya Mack)

By Ian Holmes

bear aware

Bears abound in Nanaimo’s North Jingle Pot area

May 26, 2019 | 9:14 AM

NANAIMO — Numerous bear sightings generated a lot of talk among neighbours in Nanaimo’s North Jingle Pot area, including a cub catching one resident by surprise.

14 reported bear sightings were recorded by the BC Conservation Officer Service in the vast Jingle Pot/Westwood Lake area over the past two weeks.

Five sightings alone in the Castle Rock/Avonlea Dr. area in the the last week had residents like Scott Mack on alert.

“And there he was about seven or eight feet up in the big fir tree in our front yard, he had the bird feeder tipped upside down trying to get a little snack.”

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The Monterey Dr. resident said the bear quickly scurried away when it made eye contact with his wife.

Mack said a neighbourhood Facebook page proved to be a handy tool to keep everybody aware.

“We’ve got lots of young kids in the neighbourhood…It’s great to be able to let everybody know and be aware of these types of issues,” Mack said.

The bird feeder is no longer up outside the Mack home for the time being following a discussion with a conservation officer.

Stuart Bates of the BC Conservation Officer Service said the North Jingle Pot bear sighting surge is likely linked to a trio of young bears.

Bates theorized what took place.

“Mom chased off her three two-year-olds and now she’s going to mate and have new cubs, but now the three two-year-olds are wandering around trying to make it on their own,” Bates said.

He urged people to make sure bird feeders, garbage, dirty barbecues and compost bins aren’t positioned as invitations for bears to your property.

Bates said some black bears are mating, while all of them are grazing for their next meal.

Human/wildlife interactions which could impact public safety should be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes