Bear sightings in Calgary require park and road closures – Calgary

A recent bear sighting in southwest Calgary may be the result of some residents not following the city's trash and waste bylaws, a community association says.

According to the Discovery Ridge community, fish and wildlife officers had to close part of Griffith Woods Park, including some trails, after they spotted a bear breaking into improperly stored trash cans.

“Unfortunately, there are now reports of bears accessing residential waste from unsecured trash cans stored outside homes,” the association said. “Do your part and make sure wildlife, especially bears, don't have access to the contents of your boxes.”

Information on closures is available on the city road map at calgary.ca.

Richard Putmans, the Calgary City Councilor who represents the area, said post on social media Provincial wildlife officials have set two traps to catch the bear and relocate it.

On the outskirts of Calgary, the Discovery Ridge neighborhood, bordered by the Lock River and Tsuutina First Nation, has been a meeting point between people and wildlife.

In October 2022, wildlife officials had to euthanize a black bear and her four cubs after they were spotted raiding garbage and compost bins in the neighborhood.

The decision to cull the bears sparked a community outcry and prompted city council to change Calgary's waste regulations to allow the city to temporarily designate certain communities as “wildlife affected” areas if bears or other wildlife become a problem.

The change to the law prevents residents from putting out their trash and compost carts earlier than 5 a.m. and requires them to be put out by 7 p.m.

It also requires that they be kept inside or in a safe box.

Homeowners who violate the law can face fines ranging from $125 to $1,000.

Anyone who spots a bear in the area is asked to call Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-642-3800.

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.