Saanich police ask residents near Elk Lake to secure their pets and watch for wildlife after a bear and cub sighting Sunday (Jan. 21) afternoon.
A resident reported seeing the sow and cub in the 600 block of Brookleigh Road, near Hamsterly Beach.
The bears were not observed as being aggressive, police said in a news release.
Police notified the BC Conservation Service and alerted nearby residents, asking them to secure animals and avoid the area.
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Attacks by black bears are uncommon but can occasionally be fatal. On average there is less than one fatal black bear attack on humans every three years in BC, according to WildSafeBC. They accept for 14,000 to 25,000 calls per year to Conservation. Bears are most active from April to November, but in milder climates, or where they are continuously finding food, bears may not go into their dens.
To avoid surprising a bear, watch for signs, make noise when out walking, be aware of surroundings and manage attractants – including garbage in an urban area, WildSafeBC recommends.
All bears that are aggressive or spotted in urban areas, should be reported to the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
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