Human-Bear Conflicts in West Kelowna (1)

From WildSafeBC

Date of Issue: Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025

Bears are most active in the late summer and early fall because the animals are entering their most intense eating phase, prior to hibernation, posing a higher risk for human-bear conflict.

All West Kelowna residents are encouraged to be mindful of reducing attractants around their homes, but neighbourhoods in wildlife interface areas such as Glenrosa, Westbank, Smith Creek, Shannon Lake/Shannon Woods/Tallus Ridge, Rose Valley and West Kelowna Estates are urged to be especially vigilant.

Managing attractants is crucial in preventing conflict situations and keeping both humans and bears safe.

Please follow the tips below to help prevent human-bear conflicts and use the WildSafeBC Homeowner’s Checklist to do your part to keep the community safe and bears in the wild!

WildSafeBC Homeowner’s Checklist:

Garbage

• Keep waste in the house or in a secure shed/garage until the morning of pick-up day or take to a designated garbage facility.
• If you do not have access to a storage structure, try freezing smelly garbage and wait until morning of collection day to place in bin.
• Keep bins clean to reduce lingering odors.

Recycling

• Wash recyclables before placing them in the bin.
• Keep bins clean.

Bird food

• Use birdfeeders only in winter.
• Attract birds with birdbaths and birdhouses instead.
• Bird seed is an attractant for many wildlife species, including bears.

Compost

• Turn compost regularly, add half brown materials, like leaves or shredded paper.
• Avoid adding fish, meat, grease/oil, or dairy products that may be fragrant attractants.
• Keep compost away from house.

Fruit/nut trees

• Pick ripe and fallen fruit or nuts daily or arrange for volunteers to pick.
• Replace fruit/nut trees that aren’t being utilized.
• Install electric fencing to deter wildlife.

Barbeques, smokers and firepits

• Burn off grill.
• Clean grease trap after each use.
• Store covered and in a secure area.

Pet food

• Feed pets indoors.
• If feeding outdoors, bring dishes inside at night and store pet food inside.

Human food

• Keep food secured indoors, not in vehicles.
• Avoid the use of outdoor fridges and freezers.

Small livestock

• Consider electric fencing around chicken coops or beehives

Shelter

• Prevent places for wildlife to find shelter around your property by keeping garages/sheds closed and minimizing shrub or tree cover near the ground.

If you see a bear, or other dangerous wildlife species, in the community:

• Stay calm.
• Do not scream or run.
• If facing the animal, calmly talk to it and back up to give it space to escape.
• Go indoors if possible.
• Report human-wildlife conflicts to the BC Conservation Officer Service RAPP Line 1-877-952-7277.

Why does prevention matter?

Good attractant management is critical especially in the spring and fall when bears respectively leave and re-enter hibernation. Conflict situations arise when bears have access to unnatural foods including garbage, fruit trees, and birdseed. Continued access to these unnatural food sources contributes to animals becoming conditioned, and they will continue to return and learn where to easily access these foods. As opportunistic animals, bears that are food-conditioned become habituated to humans, lose their fear, and wander into driveways and yards, even during the day. This is a recipe for disaster for the bear and a safety hazard for us.

Why has bear activity increased?

In fall, bears are in a phase called hyperphagia, which means intense eating, consuming up to 20,000 calories per day. They must increase their body weight by approximately 30 per cent to create enough energy stores to survive winter denning. To find enough food before winter, bears tend to move to lower elevations where greenery still exists. With our community situated at these lower elevations, adjacent to their habitat, bear sightings and conflicts in residential areas tend to peak as the bears search for food in our yards.

Learn more

If you have questions, please contact your WildSafeBC Community Coordinator, Breanna Scott. Call or text 306-331-7084 or email Centralok@wildsafebc.com.

For more information on local wildlife and WildSafeBC events, like and follow our Facebook page at WildSafeBC Central Okanagan. Visit wildsafebc.com for additional tips and resources.