Provincial wildlife officials are expecting hibernating wildlife to have an early wakeup due to the warm weather this season.
“Bears will be coming out of hibernation in the coming weeks, so residents should reduce all attractants in their backyards and not leave small animals unattended,” Brendan Cox, public affairs officer for Alberta Fish and Wildlife explained over an email.
But the warmer weather does not necessarily mean wildlife is more likely to enter urban areas, according to officials.
“Warmer weather and less snow means the animals may be more likely to find food in their more natural surroundings outside of town. Also, in winter, animals are sometimes attracted to urban areas because the streets are cleared of snow meaning it is much easier for the animals to get around (and) of course this is not a factor when there is less snow,” Cox explained.
But residents should still be cautious and Cox gave some tips on how to avoid attracting wildlife to a residential home or backyard.
· Keep garbage and recyclable bottles and cans in wildlife-resistant, airtight containers, and keep compost indoors or use an indoor composter.
· Remove bird feeders from yards between April and October. Clean up any spilled bird feed.
· Pick ripening fruit as early as possible and store it in secure, airtight containers.
Officials are hopeful that an earlier thaw will provide a lot of vegetation for the bears to eat when they are out of hibernation. Other safety tips Cox wanted to note while people are enjoying the outdoors are;
· Make a lot of noise to avoid surprise encounters with wildlife.
· Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
· Do not wear an mp3 player or anything else that might interfere with a person’s ability to see clearly or hear the sounds that can alert the presence of wildlife.
· Always keep your dog close and on leash.
· Walk in a group and keep children close.
If anyone has concerns about wildlife activity, contact the local Fish and Wildlife office at 403 932-2388 or the 24-hour Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800.
