Bella Coola is home to grizzlies, black bears and cougars
You may come across them on any trail, at any time, so it is important to take precautions and follow some basic practises to reduce risk of close encounters :
- Always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Obey bear warning signs.
- Keep children and pets close and within sight.
- Make noise. Increase noise when near streams, waterfalls or were you can not see the path ahead.
- Be alert: watch for tracks, droppings, diggings, scratch marks, torn apart logs.
- Stay on trails. Don’t hike alone or at night. Stay in groups.
- Don’t leave garbage or food scraps.
- Each adult should carry Bear Spray and know how to use it.
- Avoid animal carcasses or injured animals – report dead animals near trails to the Conservation Officer. Avoid oderous items like foods with strong odors, scented deodorants.
- Keep your gear with you – don’t leave packs or food unattended.
- Always keep dogs on a leash or leave them at home as they may attract bears or cougars.
- Use binoculars, spotting scopes or a telephoto lens to view wildlife from a safe & unobtrusive distance.
- Report troublesome animals to the conservation Officer : 1 877 952-7277
If you encounter a bear or a cougar, remain calm, don’t panic or run. Most often they will move away without incident; however, you should also respect their space and move away in a non-threatening manner. Back up slowly, leave areas with agreessive or agitated wildlife and warn others.
Some bears in the Bella Coola Valley, particularly in the upper (east) valley, are accustomed to human presence and show little concern when humans are near. Don’t let this seemingly tolerant behaviour fool you into getting a closer view or making the mistake that all bears act this way.
Each encounter is unique and it is advisable to refer to other published bear/cougar aware and safety guides and videos for more information on how to minimuze risk and handle wildlife encounters.
