As the Squamish Valley grizzly bear population rebounds, locals can expect to see more grizzly bears in town, says Conservation Officer Service Sergeant Simon Gravel.
Gravel said the recent grizzly sightings are an important reminder that the Upper Squamish Valley is home to approximately 59 grizzly bears.
As their population thrives, future sightings can be expected, he said.
Other factors that increase the likelihood of more grizzly bears in town include more recreation, food availability and competition for food sources, and the availability of non-natural food sources as a result of farming practices in the Valley.
Easy access to residential wildlife attractants, such as garbage and fruit trees, are other factor why these animals have been seen in Squamish, Gravel added.
Meanwhile, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) has safely relocated a grizzly bear that was captured in Brackendale on the evening of September 27.
The bear, a mature male between 20 and 30 years old, weighed approximately 700 pounds, was deemed to be in good health for his age, and relocation back into the wild was a viable option.
This is the second grizzly to have been sighted and captured this month in Squamish.
The COS captured and relocated a grizzly bear that was seen foraging in the Garibaldi Estates neighbourhood on September 10.
Since then, the COS received two separate reports of grizzly bear sightings in the Squamish area, one on September 21 in Paradise Valley, and a second on September 24 near the intersection of Government and Mamquam Road.
Although both sightings were unconfirmed, it is believed to have been the same bear that most likely spent a few days within the community prior to its successful capture and relocation from Brackendale.
“It cannot be stressed enough that residents must manage their wildlife attractants. We must prevent the creation of human habituated and non-natural food conditioned grizzly and black bears. Please be mindful and do everything you can to ensure you are not attracting wildlife into your neighbourhood,” Gravel said.
