Bears rise early
BC Wildlife Service is reporting that Powell River’s black bears are awake and hungry.
Some estimates from Wildwood residents indicate that the bears have been awake since the beginning of March, though conservation officer Andrew Anaka said he thinks the bears have only just started becoming active after hibernation.
“We usually get our first sightings in early April,” said Anaka.
Powell River conservation officers have already received two recent reports of bear sightings near residential areas. The first was after a bear family was sighted roaming beside James Thomson Elementary School in Wildwood, and the second after residents spotted a mature adult at the top of Glacier Street.
Conservation officers are looking for this bear because it has what looks to be a broken arrow sticking out of its face.
“We want to find that bear and make the determination of whether he’s going to make it or not,” said Anaka. “We don’t know if that arrow is from last fall or this spring.”
The conservation service is asking residents to review practices for managing yard attractants.
Outdoor program receives grant
School District 47 has received a $20,000 grant from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to administer the Jade Coast Discovery program offered through Brooks Secondary School.
The funds will be used to engage at-risk youth in social-development activities through adventure-based programming at the Outdoor Learning Centre near Haywire Bay Regional Park.
