Not quite naptime yet...
A few bear sightings have been reported around the village recently, according to Bear Smart team member Norma Rodgers.
"One big guy was spotted gobbling down the insects he found inside the rotting wall of an old garage. He didn't break into the building or get into anything he shouldn't have, but it shows that the bears are still out and hungry, even this late in the season."
Rodgers notes that it normal to see minimal bear activity in August and early September. However, with the recent sightings, residents need to be extra vigilant about keeping their food waste and bear attractants inaccessible as the bruins gear up for an extended nap-time in the fall.
"Fall is when bears are biologically programmed to eat enough calories to put on a thick layer of fat so they can survive hibernation," Rodgers says. "This power-eating phase is called hyperphagia. Since bears are so motivated to find food at this time, they may be more aggressive about accessing human food waste."
In general, bears in this region can be expected to hibernate for three to five months with no food or water. "This means they can consume as much as ten times as many calories as they need during spring and summer in order to enter their dens in top shape," says Rodgers.
She notes that the local blackberry crop has now dried up at a time when the bears survival depends on high calorie consumption. Bears can be active up to 20 hours each day during this excessive eating and drinking period.
For more information on the habits of local bears, check out Lions Bay's Bear Smart site.
Have bear thoughts to share? Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca
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My property was mentioned in this article and this comment is factually incorrect:
"One big guy was spotted gobbling down the insects he found inside the rotting wall of an old garage.
Some of the boards were a bit rotten where the bear made his damage, but to be clear: assumptions were made he was eating bugs (there is no evidence of it on video, photos or remnants). This assumption was made by a few individuals but is theory - not necessarily fact. Furthermore - the solid wooden door (not rotting) and the metal plate was almost ripped off (which was recently Installed) were damaged. Behind the door and metal plate? Covered garbage.
Have a look at the door and…
Thank you Norma and Karen for keeping this information foremost in our minds as we go about our daily lives. I printed this statement below some time ago and keep it where I can see it as I reflect on our relationship with our bears here in Lions Bay.
"Our humanity can be judged by how well we care for the natural environment and all our biological relations as it is defined by our respect for other animals."