Bear sightings are in bloom alongside spring, which prompts a reminder for residents to keep their garbage secure.

With a warmer spring, Conservation Officers are reporting bears are out earlier than normal, with many sightings throughout the Okanagan.

91裸聊视频淭hat means it91裸聊视频檚 time to be extra vigilant. As always, when the bears come out of hibernation they91裸聊视频檙e hungry and looking for food,91裸聊视频� Central Okanagan Regional District waste reduction office facilitator Rae Stewart said. 91裸聊视频淭he best advice if you live in an area susceptible to wildlife is to reduce your risk of conflict, and take responsibility for your trash.91裸聊视频�

Residents can do so by storing waste and recycling carts inside a shed or garage and only putting garbage bins out the morning of pickup, not the night before.

91裸聊视频淏ears in particular, but other animals as well, have a keen sense of smell,91裸聊视频� Stewart said. 91裸聊视频淭he idea is to not attract them to your garbage unnecessarily. If they find your waste, they can make a real mess, but also become food-conditioned. Then they can pose a risk to you, your family, your pets, neighbours and themselves. And that91裸聊视频檚 totally preventable.91裸聊视频�

Various models of bear-resistant garbage carts are being tested in select neighbourhoods throughout the region, as part of a pilot project. Depending on the results and how the carts perform and stand up to bear activity, there could be new cart options late this year.

But Stewart stresses the biggest takeaway from cart manufacturers and testing programs is no model or design is deemed 100 per cent bear-proof, only bear-resistant. So managing your attractants carefully is still critical.

A pilot program expanding WildSafeBC coverage in the Central Okanagan was announced earlier this week. This is in addition to the existing Okanagan Westside WildSafeBC program.

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WildSafe BC has tips you can follow to keep wildlife wild and communities safe:

91裸聊视频� Only put garbage out for collection on the morning of pickup, not the night before

91裸聊视频� Encourage neighbours to do the same, offer to help if they are not able to put garbage out at appropriate times

91裸聊视频� Secure your garbage on non-collection days; store it securely in your home or in a garage or shed

91裸聊视频� Consider freezing your kitchen scraps until the morning of collection day

91裸聊视频� Keep your barbeque clean and covered

91裸聊视频� Pick ripe or fallen fruit immediately; if composting, or putting in yard waste cart, ensure they are secured from wildlife access

91裸聊视频� Use bird baths and houses to attract birds, rather than bird feeders

Report human-wildlife conflicts and sightings of bears, cougars or coyotes in the community to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.

For more information on deterring bears from garbage, visit .

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