Hungry bears prowling in Nanaimo area, public asked to help reduce conflicts

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Black bear sightings have increased regionally lately, including Nanaimo. The City issued a new warning of a bear in the Colliery Dam Park area. (Image Credit: City of Nanaimo)

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The City of Nanaimo reported on Monday, Sept. 21, that a bear had been spotted at Colliery Dam Park in the upper dam area, where an off-leash dog park happens to be located.

Brown said there have been multiple recent reports of bears in the area, which isn’t surprising.

“Over 50 per cent of black bear attacks are due to dogs and that’s usually because people who have their dogs off-leash let them roam further, dogs might be interested in an animal and might accidentally aggravate that animal and come back to the owner bringing the animal with them.”

Nanaimo has a dozen off-leash dog parks, including at Westwood Lake Park, at the opposite side of the main parking lot, near the scene of a reported aggressive bear in the early summer.

“If there’s been reports in these areas maybe keep their dog on-leash, if they’re with children make sure they’re closer than usual,” Brown advised.

Historically, Brown said most Nanaimo area bear sightings tend to be along greenspaces on either side of the Nanaimo Parkway and in the Chase River area, typically removed from well-established populated centres of Nanaimo.

Food attractants like green bins have long been a lure for bears, Brown noted.

“People are putting their bins out overnight and it’s such a common practice that bears will go to the same areas on a weekly basis.”

She noted some bears don’t hibernate at all, which is why people should be vigilant at all times.

“We see black bear activity well into November and it’s definitely possible to see bear actively year-round, especially when we don’t get a lot of snow and the temperature doesn’t really drop below zero.”

A statement from the BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) noted bears may be traveling further to look for food.

People are advised to not give bears a reason to linger in communities.

Bears are entering hyperphagia, which is where bears consume high volumes of daily calories leading up to winter, according to the BCCOS.

“Too often, bears become food-conditioned because garbage, pet food, birdseed, and other attractants are not properly secured. We all have a role to play to prevent human-wildlife conflicts,” the BCCOS statement read, which noted fallen fruit, specifically apples, are a common seasonal attractant for bears.

Additional information to prevent human-wildlife conflicts are available at WildSafeBC.com.

Any wildlife conflicts can be reported to the BCOSS via the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

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