Skip to content

Black bear makes a surprise entry into Fernie home

A few black bears have yet to find their winter dens as one couple experienced on Monday, Nov. 11.

A husband and wife were sitting in their living room of their home on Vanlerberg Road south east of Fernie. They were watching television on Monday evening about 6 pm when they heard a big bang that sounded like a bomb went off in the lower level of their house. The couple then observed a black bear coming up the stairs from the lower level of their home.

The husband told his wife to grab their two dogs and lock herself in the bedroom. When the bear saw the people, it ran back down the stairs to the lower level.

The husband realized his firearm was in the basement where the bear was. He left the house to find a neighbour to help and the Conservation Officer Service was called.

When COS Joe Caravetta arrived, the bear had left the house through the same 3 by 4 foot broken window it had entered.

Upon investigation, the prints in the snow showed that a dog was chasing the bear when it smashed through the window.

“The bear was in full flight when it hit the double pane glass window. There was jagged glass every where throughout the room,” said Caravetta. “A human would have suffered cuts going through that same window.”

No blood was found in the snow and the bear had left the area.

“We don’t see this bear as a public safety threat as it was not aggressive,” said Caravetta. “It was obvious the bear was being chased by a dog. In 25 years, I have never seen a bear run full flight through a window.”

The bear's tracks also indicated it was a young bear.

“Most black bears are hibernated. However, there are always exceptions. Due to poor fat reserves, some bears are still looking for additional food sources.”

COS asks people to continue to take care with pet food, garbage and fruit trees as not every bear is hibernated yet.

If you do see wildlife, COS asks that you call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277) which is 24 hours.