In order to reduce human-bear conflict, Sun Peaks Bear Aware Society (SPBA) has launched a new survey for reporting bear sightings. 

The system allows residents and visitors to report cases of bears in the municipality through a short online survey. In the last two weeks SPBA has already received 30 responses, and this data will help the society track bear activity, identify problem areas and respond proactively to potential safety concerns. 

The survey focuses on several key areas, the location of bear activity, types of bears spotted such as a female with cubs or lone males, and whether bears are accessing attractants like garbage. Understanding these patterns allows the organization to direct education efforts more effectively, such as door-to-door outreach in hotspots or targeting areas near trails and the transfer station. 

“Another priority is knowing whether there are bears accessing garbage in the community, because that is something we want to address as quickly as possible,” Karen Lara, SPBA representative said. “When it happens, bears become habituated very easily and it’s just a massive priority to be able to intervene if that’s happening.”

Providing this information in the survey will allow for a more proactive approach, before bears become habituated and require intervention. 

The idea for a survey was first introduced to the board of SPBA in the fall and after several months of collaboration with Kathy Jenkins from Silver Star Bear Stewardship Society’s (SSBSS), which has its own survey. Using that survey as a template, the system was adapted to meet Sun Peaks’ needs.

“It’s really important for us that we have partnerships with other stakeholders, other people doing similar work, just to see what’s effective for them and areas that they’re challenged with,” Lara said. “We do information sharing and try to support each other in doing this work well in our respective communities.”

Becoming a Bear Smart community

The new reporting system supports the municipality’s long-term goal of becoming a Bear Smart Community, a provincial program recognizing communities committed to reducing conflict with bears through public education and effective waste management. 

One of the requirements of the Bear Smart designation is conducting an environmental assessment that will heavily rely on the data collected now through the survey. 

“We’ve had a tremendous response,” Lara said. “In even the first week of us launching the reporting system, we had extremely positive reports from the community that’s already given us a clear picture of the bears in Sun Peaks right now.”

Since the pandemic, Sun Peaks has seen an increase in year-round residents and a larger recreational infrastructure, including biking and hiking trails that extend into bear habitat. 

“There’s more frequent interactions between bears and humans,” Lara said. “If people don’t have bear safety education, that can lead to conflict. Dogs having altercations with bears, people running into bears coming down trails could be an issue. With more terrain comes greater risk of interaction.”

To help with education SPBA continues to offer community outreach programs at local farmers’ markets and encourages residents to take a free online course by Bear Safety When Recreating from WildSafeBC.

“We’re sharing this land with the bears,” Lara said. “The key is that they have to be respected and that they’re a part of our community as well. So it’s critical for people to understand how to navigate themselves in the community.”

For more information or to submit a bear sighting, visit SPBA’s Facebook page.