(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Hungry animals

Sask. bear population expected to rise in 2021, says conservation officer

Mar 11, 2021 | 8:00 AM

Within the next few weeks, bears will be waking up from hibernation and will go looking for food.

That’s why a Prince Albert conservation officer is reminding cabin owners to be extra vigilant with respect to keeping food sources out of sight. Sgt. Casey Howey told paNOW this applies to compost, bird seed and pet food.

“A bear may come in in the evening more than anything when people are sleeping. If it doesn’t find any food sources, it’s gonna continue on,” he said.

Given populations last year and the potential for an early spring, Howey forecasted the provincial bear population will be even higher this year. A number of reasons may come into play for sows having bigger litters, but Howey explained the excess moisture Saskatchewan has experienced the past few years plays a role. In general, the bears have just been healthier too.

(Submitted photo/Parks Canada)

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Re-iterating the need for people to essentially bear-proof their properties, Howey explained that if we all do our part, we can protect ourselves, as well as the bears.

“If we leave attractants out and [the bears] become used to that food source and get used to humans, they become habituated and they lose their natural fear and then they become dangerous to people. You know sometimes our last resort is all we can do is euthanize a bear,” he said.

Howey added if someone has direct contact with a bear, or the bear has caused damage to a property, the individual needs to immediately contact their local Ministry of Environment office or call the turn-in-poachers and polluters line.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell