Black bear found eating garbage removed from Canmore neighbourhood

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers tranquillized and moved a black bear that wandered into a Canmore residential neighbourhood over the weekend.

Officers responded to the Peaks of Grassi neighbourhood in the late afternoon Saturday after receiving calls about a black bear eating from garbage stored outside homes.

“When officers responded, they found a male bear inside the garage of one residence,” a spokesman for Alberta Justice and Solicitor General said in a written statement Sunday.

“Officers monitored the bear and let it leave the garage before immobilizing and removing it. Officers relocated the bear in a wilderness area on Sunday.”

Officers believe the bear entered the neighbourhood to eat berries and other natural foods, but began seeking out food from unnatural sources after finding some in garbage outside homes.

Fish and Wildlife staff decided to relocate the bear after observing it was not showing any signs of fear toward humans.

RCMP, peace officers and Fish and Wildlife officers pursued the bear until they were able to subdue it. The animal was lifted over a fence on a stretcher to a bear trap to remove it from the area.

Officials say the incident is an important reminder of why Canmore has a municipal bylaw requiring residents to properly secure their garbage in animal-proof containers or enclosures.

The province also advises residents to take preventive steps, including picking ripening fruit as soon as possible, keeping pet food and feeders inside, and cleaning barbecues after each use.

PAM DOYLE An RCMP officer takes a look at a tranquillized black bear in a bear culvert trap. It had been eating from garbage stored outside homes.