Local mounties are warning Coquitlam residents to remove bear attractants - especially bird seed - after an encounter in a yard off Hickey Drive Wednesday night.
"Now that spring has sprung and the warmer weather is here to stay, we are reminding area residents to properly manage bear attractants - such as bird feeders, fruit trees and compost containers - near their homes," Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung said in a press release. "These are some very basic steps we can all take to prevent bears from foraging in our neighbourhoods."
According to Chung, the bear visited a house in the 300-block of Hickey Drive, ate from a bird feeder, then wandered off into the greenbelt behind the house.
People shouldn't be calling the police about bear sitings, instead they should contact the BC Conservation Officer Service if they feel the bear is endangering public safety. The number to call is 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP).
More information is available on the RCMP website.