A bear on Discovery Ridge recommends closing the area

Wildlife officials are working to capture and relocate a bear that has been active in southwest Calgary.

The Discovery Ridge community notified residents of an active bear in the area last week.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife has closed part of Griffith Woods Park, including some trails. Bear traps were set to catch the animal.

According to the community, the bear entered residential trash cans that were stored outside but were not secured.

“Do your part and make sure that wildlife, especially bears, don't have access to the contents of your boxes,” the association said in an advisory.

“This will be one of the main factors in protecting residents and bears.”

Residents are encouraged to follow the City of Calgary's Bear Smart practices for household waste, which include:

• Do not leave carts overnight;
• Please remove carts between 5am and 7am on collection day;
• Put the carts back after assembly; and
• Store your stroller in a garage or other safe place.

Last year, the city amended its waste law to allow areas to be designated as “wildlife-impaired,” placing stricter restrictions on waste collection.

The City of Calgary has declared Discovery Ridge a temporary wildlife affected area due to bear activity in the fall. The appointment expires in November 2023, according to the city's website.

6th district. Area spokesman Richard Putmans said city residents are seeing compliance with the city's updated collection rules.

“We are hearing that the process is working as designed. “Last year we learned a lot about waste and waste management and caring for bears,” he told reporters on Monday.

“One seems to have come early this year, and we're working on the same.”

While it's been “challenging” to get residents on board, Putmans said the city has received fewer wildlife calls this year than last year.

“So I think a lot of people who were concerned when we first went through this process, the administration has done a good job of addressing a lot of those issues to make sure the bears are protected,” he said.

“We have to remind ourselves that we take care of the bears, but we also have to take care of the children.”

The city authorities said not to panic, if you see a bear, quickly collect children and pets and go home.

Bear sightings and encounters can be reported to Fish and Wildlife at 310-0000 or 1-800-642-3800.