Living with Wildlife

We live on nature’s doorstep, with bears, raccoons, deer, coyotes and other wildlife regularly found in our rural community — and sometimes on our properties. Having these creatures in our neighbourhoods means we all must do our part to keep both them and ourselves safe.

Keep yourself and wildlife safe

To prevent conflicts between wildlife and people, it is critical to deter animals, especially bears, from looking for food on your property. You can do this by eliminating attractants:

  • Store garbage carts, green carts and recycling bins somewhere that’s inaccessible to wildlife — If necessary, install a wildlife-resistant enclosure.

  • Freeze food scraps and place all food waste in the green cart on collection day.

  • Don’t put out your carts before 5:30 a.m. on collection day; lock and store them by 10 p.m. on collection day.

  • Keep your green and garbage carts clean between collection days.

  • Keep pet food inside your home.

  • Pick fruit as soon as it’s ripe and pick up any fallen fruit.

  • Suspend bird feeders out of reach of bears and clean up seed that falls from them. (Also, it’s advised that you put out feeders only during fall and winter,)

  • Keep barbecues clean.

  • Manage your compost and all garbage.

These websites offer for more information on staying safe around wildlife:

Click below for more information on how to interact with specific animals:

Print a copy of our Be Bear Aware’ information sheet to share with your family.

BC Conservation Call Centre/Conservation Officer Service: 1-877-952-7277 (RAPP) or text #7277 (available 24/7)

The Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline is a toll-free tip line and online service that also allows you to report potential violations of fisheries, wildlife or environmental protection laws. Available 24/7, it should also be used to report human-wildlife conflicts where public safety may be at risk.

If you have an immediate public safety concern concerning wildlife or the environment, call:

Learn more about the RAPP program

To report a fisheries violation: