The District of Coldstream asks residents to do their part to reduce Wildlife encounters with bears and other wildlife in our community. With the warmer weather, bears are coming out of hibernation and bear sightings have increased.
The District’s Wildlife Feeding and Attractant Regulations Bylaw, aims to reduce wildlife conflict by preventing access to human derived food sources.
Managing our outdoor living space responsibly helps reduce the number of human wildlife interactions that occur. Minimizing human-wildlife interactions helps wildlife populations thrive in the wild and reduces destruction of animals.
What you can do:
- Store your garbage indoors or otherwise in a durable, rigid receptacles that are fitted with covers that are inaccessible to wildlife.
- Ensure refuse containers are only set out on the designated day of collection between 5:00 am and 7:00 pm.
- Do not feed or attempt to feed wildlife such as deer or bear.
- Keep the exterior of your property clear of any food products or food containers, and ensure your compost is kept in an enclosed, rigid container that is inaccessible to wildlife.
- Ensure that any refrigerators or freezers that are stored outdoors are inaccessible to wildlife.
- If your pet food is stored outdoors, ensure it is kept in a secure, wildlife-resistant container.
- Clean the barbecue after use – don’t forget the grease trap!
- Remove any fruit from your fruit trees that has fallen to the ground.
- Keep birdfeeders suspended in a manner that is inaccessible to wildlife and keep the ground under birdfeeders clear of seeds.
- Ensure your animals, backyard hens and backyard bees are reasonably inaccessible to wildlife.
- Report all wildlife to the Provincial Report all Poachers and Polluters line at 1-877-952-7277.
The District’s website is an excellent resource for information relating to garbage collection and refuse regulations, prohibited and required actions in Coldstream, how to report a wildlife conflict or bylaw infraction, and much more! Please visit https://www.coldstream.ca/node/774.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the District of Coldstream Bylaw Compliance Department by or by phone at 250-550-1503 or by email at bylaw@coldstream.ca