December 11, 2023

Council and this system’s outcomes will decide if the bins ought to be despatched to different communities.

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Bear-proof rubbish bins are being examined in Saprae Creek by the municipality. Relying on the success of the pilot program, the bins could possibly be rolled out in different neighbourhoods and communities throughout Fort McMurray Wooden Buffalo.

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Saprae Creek was chosen due to a excessive variety of bear sightings throughout the neighborhood. Because the neighborhood was picked, bear incidents throughout the area are up however nonetheless inside regular expectations.

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The bear-resistant curbside bins had been already examined at a smaller stage in Saprae Creek final yr. This system went nicely and folks reported fewer interactions with wildlife. This system could have 300 of the bins despatched to properties.

A municipal spokesperson stated council will overview the outcomes of this system and resolve tips on how to transfer ahead. If bins are despatched to different communities, these locations might be picked primarily based on latest wildlife interactions.

“We dwell in bear nation and meaning we are going to expertise interactions with bears and different wildlife,” stated Antoine Rempp, the municipality’s environmental companies director, in a press release. “This pilot challenge is meant to assist scale back the variety of these interactions.”

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Chris Paish, Fish and Wildlife Officer in Fort McMurray, stated in a July interview there have been 118 incidents involving 152 bears to date this yr. Final yr there have been 93 incidents involving 115 bears. Paish says that is inside regular parameters, however continues to be regarding.

Latest wildfires exterior Fort Chipewyan have pushed bears nearer to the neighborhood as they search for new meals sources. In Fort McMurray, bears are sometimes drawn in direction of properties as a result of they scent meals. This time of yr can also be when berries and fruits are rising on timber and bushes throughout the boreal forest.

“It’s so much simpler for a bear to tip over certainly one of our black bins that we’ve ignored all week and seize a snack from there than it’s to attempt to decide blueberries which have the identical caloric worth,” stated Paish.

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RCMP and Alberta Fish and Wildlife counsel folks:

  • Take away attractants from round your house (pure meals like fruit and berry-producing shrubs and timber).
  • Safe rubbish, compost bins, hen feeders and pets.
  • Preserve lawns mowed and yards weed-free, particularly dandelions.
  • Don’t feed pets exterior. Preserve pet meals inside.
  • Preserve barbecues clear and take drip pans inside.
  • Make plenty of noise and carry bear spray when strolling on trails.
  • When you see cubs, remember the mom bear is probably going close by.

Report bear sightings that aren’t emergencies to Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 780-743-7200. If the sighting is after enterprise hours, name the Report A Poacher hotline at 1-800-642-3800.

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