Bears and Wildlife

Let’s keep wildlife wild and our communities safe

Together, we can manage wildlife attractants around our homes and in our neighbourhoods.
To help prevent wildlife conflicts in the community:

Secure all attractants that may lead to conflict with bears and other wildlife.
Remove bird feeders and store garbage securely.
Wait until the morning of collection day to put out carts.

Report conflicts with wildlife or sightings of bears, cougars, wolves, or coyotes in your neighbourhood to the Conservation Officer Service, available 24/7 at 1-877-952-7277. Reports are uploaded daily to wildsafebc.com/warp.

We work in partnership with WildSafeBC to keep our community safe. For tips on specific animal safety, please visit the WildSafeBC website. Find specific species reduction information below.

Learn more about the Wildlife Alert Reporting Program

Action around the home

Keep your garbage secure – store it indoors, in a secure shed, or in a bear-resistant enclosure.
Only put your garbage/yard waste/recyclables out on collection day - never the night before.
Manage your fruit trees so that fruit is picked as it ripens, and no windfall accumulates.
Bring bird feeders in from April through November – and when they are out, ensure that the ground underneath is kept free of seeds.
Feed pets indoors.
Maintain your compost so that it doesn’t smell. Add fruit slowly. Never add meat or dairy.
Protect fruit trees, beehives and small livestock with properly installed & maintained electric fence.
Respect wild animals by not feeding them. Food-conditioned wildlife are more likely to come into conflict.
Keep barbecues clean and odour free.

Awareness and education

For more information on reducing human-wildlife conflict visit www.wildsafebc.com, follow WildSafeBC Central Okanagan on Facebook, or contact the local WildSafeBC Community Coordinator at centralok@wildsafebc.com.
Find more information from the BC Ministry of Environment on their Staying Safe Around Wildlife page.

Find specific species information

Garbage management regulations

Under Section 2.2.3 of the City of West Kelowna’s Solid Waste Management Bylaw 0065, you must only put out garbage, yard waste and recyclables between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection. You should also be aware that it is an offence under the BC Wildlife Act section 33.1 to attract dangerous animals (bears, wolves, cougars and coyotes) with unsecured attractants.