A bear paid a visit to a Coquitlam home in the 300 block of Hickey Drive Wednesday night, prompting the Mounties to issue the Lower Mainland's first bear advisory of the year.
RCMP say the three-year-old black bear roamed around the front of the house and ate from a bird feeder.
A resident of the area managed to take a number of photos of the bear before it wandered off into the darkness of the green belt at the back of the home.
The encounter prompted the city's RCMP detachment to issue a reminder to people to be bear aware.
"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," Cpl. Jamie Chung said in a written statement. "These are some very basic steps we can all take to prevent bears from foraging in our neighbourhoods."
Bear sightings can be reported to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service through the Emergency Coordination Centre for Bear Sightings at 1-877-952-7277.
Here's what police say will happen when you make a report:
- If it's a one-time or first-time bear sighting in the area, details will be recorded and passed on to the conservation office in the area.
- If the bear is a repeat visitor, or is behaving in a way that presents a threat to safety (i.e., rummaging in garbage or approaching a home), make sure you state those details in your report and a conservation officer may call to speak to you further about the incident.
- In some instances, conservation officers may contact the police for assistance.
Google Map: 300 block Hickey Drive, Coquitlam