Coquitlam's urban wildlife coordinator is crediting education and the availability of natural food for the relatively low number of human/bear conflicts this year.
Drake Stephens reports only two bears killed in the city, down from eight last year, and only one $500 fine handed out to someone who didn't secure their garbage properly.
"We are having a good year with a low number of complaints," said Stevens.
He said education seems to be working with 92% of people complying with city garbage regulations after just a single visit from a city official.
But the city's low bear-kill record could be in danger as bears step up their search for food in the coming weeks. Some bruins may turn to eating ripe fruit and it is a property-owner's responsibility to pick it before the bears get to it.
"We would like to remind residents to pick their fruit as soon as it ripens and never let it remain on the ground," Drake added.
