Bear Aware is an education program that relies heavily on community volunteers to deliver our programs, and on municipalities and regional districts to support the Bear Aware message and to support the Bear Aware program logistically and financially.
Rossland Radio helps sponsor Bear Aware: www.rosslandradio.com
Reports:
2009 Report
2007 Report
2006 Report
2005 Report (Program Delivery Specialist)
2005 Report (Manager)
2003 Report
Proposed Bear aware bylaws
Rossland Bear Hazard and Commumity Assessment
History
Rossland has had an active Bear aware program since the summer of 1999. Trail has had an active program since the summer of 2008.
Statistics
Black Bears destroyed (by C.O.s) in major communities from 1998-2009
Year 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Rossland 6 1 6 14 5 14 5 4 2 7 8 5
Trail 9 3 5 5 8 12 3 2 2
Nelson 7 7 18
Castlegar 19 30 10
Notes: No Grizzlies were shot in these communities. 2003 information incomplete – Bear aware program was cut early
In 2003, the numbers were high in most communities around BC due to the forest fires herding the bears into towns.
In 2005, it appears that in all communities around BC that the numbers of bear sightings and killings were very low. This may have been due to the plentiful year for berries and other food sources.
However, Rossland’s numbers remained high due to 3 bears being shot at the new development sites at Red Resort.
Bear-related Calls to the Conservation Officer Service – Rossland:
Attractant 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Fruit 11 10 0 3 17 1 2
Garbage 39 7 2 12 30 15 2
Bird Feeders 8 2 1 2
Freezer 7 2 1 3
Rabbits 1 2 0
Compost 12 1 0 9 1 1
Nut trees 3
Pet Food 1 0 0 1 6
BBQ 0 1 0 3 1
Garden 3 0 0
Hand Feeding 0 1 1
Sighting only 42 52 11 7
Total Calls 82 26 5 55 129 31 12
Bear-related Calls to the Conservation Officer Service – Trail:
Attractant 2008 2009
Fruit 1 2
Garbage 40 61
Bird Feeders 2 4
Freezer 0 2
Rabbits
Compost 0 0
Nut trees 2 2
Pet Food
BBQ 0 0
Garden 0 0
Hand Feeding
Sighting only 47 23
Total Calls 94 147
Becoming a Bear Smart Community
The Rossland Trail Bear Aware organization is encouraging and working with the Cities of Rossland and Trail to be certified as a “Bear Smart” community.
What does this mean? Read more here.