Jeff Mackenzie was working in his West Mackay Crescent kitchen when he heard people walking down the street chatting about a bear in the area.
“I thought that’s interesting, I better get my camera in case I see it,” Mackenzie said.
But when he ran downstairs to get his camera, the bear was standing in his backyard.
“I was very shocked,” Mackenzie said. “He started moving away and seemed to want to get out of the yard. How he got in I have no idea, the gates were closed.”
“He wasn’t big or aggressive, he looked like a juvenile,” he said. “We have a crabapple tree that I thought he might be interested in but he was not interested in it at all. He just kept pacing back and forth across the wire fence until he finally figured out a way out.”
The bear went over to the corner of Mackenzie’s yard, climbed up the wood fence joined to the chain link and swung himself out.
“We saw him go across the street between houses,” Mackenzie said. “I called the neighbour on the side where he went over the fence, but they weren’t home. I left a message to be cautious before going back into their backyard.”
Mackenzie said he’s seen deer, squirrels and other small wildlife in his urban backyard that backs on to Mitford Pond but never a bear.
“I think it was a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing. I hope he’s not back,” Mackenzie said. “(But) I think he just wanted to get out of the yard.”
A number of other Cochrane residents spotted a bear in the area last week, likely the same one.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife said a medium-sized black bear, around a couple of years old, was first spotted near Jumping Pound Creek on Friday, Aug. 10.
“Fish and Wildlife officers responded and monitored the bear, which is reported to be the size of a German Shepherd dog, as it crossed the Bow River and continued north. On Friday evening, the bear made its way over the 1A Highway, and moved north of Cochrane,” said Brendan Cox, a spokesperson for Alberta Fish and Wildlife, in an email statement.
“It was spotted again early Saturday afternoon on the outskirts of the town near Sky View Lane and Range Road 44, as it continued its journey to a more natural area. Fish and Wildlife officers continue to monitor the situation.”
Cox advised residents to store garbage in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers or buildings and to remove fruit-bearing trees and shrubs where possible.
“If existing plants cannot be removed, ripening fruit should be picked as early as possible and stored in wildlife-resistant airtight containers. Any fallen or waste fruit should be cleaned up daily before dark. Bird feeders should not be used between April 1 and Nov. 30. Smokehouses and animal carcasses, including bones, hides and waste, should be stored in bear-resistant buildings well away from people,” Cox said.
“Pet owners should not leave pet food and feeders outside. Residents should clean barbecues after each use and keep barbecues in a bear-resistant structure if possible. Residents should consider using an indoor composter. Aerate outdoor compost piles frequently and cover these with soil or lime. Do not put meat, fish, oils and milk products in the compost pile.”
According to Cox, there have been no other bear sightings in town since Saturday.
Bear concerns can be reported through the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
