Living in the Yukon means living in bear country. With bears becoming more active this time of year, extra precautions should be taken to keep people, property and bears safe.
Yukoners can learn more about bear safety, ecology and attractant management at the 2024 Bear Fair. The event will take place on Wednesday, May 15, from noon to 2 pm at LePage Park (at the corner of 3rd Avenue and Wood Street) in Whitehorse.
Participants can practise using inert bear spray, tour the informational displays from conservation officers, biologists and other experts and watch a live bear safety demonstration at 12:10 pm.
Conservation officers are reminding the public of the following:
- Carry bear spray, know how to use it and keep it accessible. Check the expiry date and replace it if expired.
- Stay alert, look for signs of bears and be prepared, not scared. Learn how you can stay safe in bear country.
- Regardless of where you live or work, please lock away garbage, compost and recycling, remove bird feeders and secure any other smelly items that might attract bears. A secure yard helps keep bears from coming into communities and out of conflict situations.
- People that have larger attractants such as beehives, backyard chicken coops, outdoor composts and larger gardens should consider installing electric fences to protect both their property and the bears.
Last year conservation officers responded to 244 human-bear conflicts. This year, officers are urging Yukoners to do their part in helping prevent these situations by following the steps above.
While bears may be friend-shaped, they are not our friends. Staying safe in bear country is everyone’s responsibility. Being bear aware when enjoying the Yukon’s wilderness and managing attractants at home contributes towards everyone’s safety. Let’s all do our part to keep ourselves, friends, neighbours and bears safe across the Yukon.
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People can call the 24-hour TIPP line at 1-800-661-0525 and submit a report online at Yukon.ca/TIPP to report aggressive encounters with wildlife, unusual animal behaviour or situations that could be a concern to human or wildlife safety. People are asked to submit reports before they post on social media so that conservation officers can respond quickly or monitor the situation.
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Human-wildlife conflict is any contact between humans and wildlife that causes harm to the person, animal or property.
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In 2023, the Department of Environment responded to approximately 244 bear-related conflicts.
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Attractants are the leading cause of conflicts in the territory, with garbage and birdseed as the lead attractants.
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Managing attractants at home or while camping is one of the most important things people can do to reduce human-wildlife conflict. People should keep attractants in secure containers, hard-sided vehicles and trailers, bear-proof canisters, locked buildings or behind electric fencing.
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In Whitehorse, approximately 66.9 per cent of human-bear conflicts in 2023 included an attractant. The biggest attractant concerns include garbage (a common factor in 37 per cent of attractant calls), and birdseed (18 per cent of attractant-related calls).
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Items that may lure bears onto people's property or campsite include:
- garbage, compost and recycling
- birdfeeders and birdseed
- food, dishes and coolers
- pet food
- barbecues and smokers
- outdoor fridges and freezers
- petroleum products
- livestock and backyard chicken coops
- toiletries
- anything with a strong smell
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Linea Volkering
Communications, Environment
867-332-2688
linea.volkering@yukon.ca