Hungry bears are making their way from greenbelts to backyards in search of food and Tri-City residents are urged to keep garbage and other bear attractants locked up.
But in one Port Coquitlam neighbourhood last week, even locking garbage in a shed wasn't enough of a deterrent for one famished bruin.
A bear broke into a shed on Evergreen Street near the Hyde Creek nature reserve and pawed through the garbage before exiting and leaving a mess behind.
"It's definitely that time of year, bears are looking for food," said Conservation Officer James Kelly, and he confirmed a few bears may be in the PoCo area.
With berries drying up, bears will be looking for other food alternatives to put on weight before heading into the hills for hibernation.
Kelly recommended people secure their garbage with bear-proof latches to deter bears from coming around. In the case of the shed owner, Kelly suggested keeping garbage out of the shed for a while to discourage the bear from returning.
"He'll poke his head in but if he notices there's no more food, he'll move on," Kelly said.
Individuals who fail to secure their garbage in Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Anmore or Belcarra could be issued fines of between $150 and $500.
Meanwhile, people living in the area of Evergreen Street and Lincoln Avenue have noticed a bear trap in the area but conservation officers couldn't determine before The Tri-City News' press time whether it was baited to catch a bear .
