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Saving Elkford's Bears

"We are really hoping the bears have gone into hibernation now," said McDonald

A committee of Elkford residents gathered together to do a follow up meeting to further discuss the strategies Elkford will undertake to keep the white bears, and all bears, out of harm's way.

"The meeting went well," said Randi McDonald, Communications and Marketing at the District of Elkford. "For the first half of the meeting we discussed what the District and volunteers have done, since our last meeting on October 20. The main thing we are trying to do now is raise awareness through every avenue we can. We have done interviews with CBC and the newspapers. We are handing out brochures, putting posters up, making announcements on Facebook and getting the word out to everyone. We are still really pushing residents to clean up their garbage and berries. The goal for the moment is to keep the bears safe until they go into hibernation," said McDonald.

Next year, the District and resident volunteers anticipate forming a full time committee. "Essentially, we will be in the same boat, next year when the bears return in the spring," she noted. The second half of the meeting was spent brainstorming ideas to take on in the spring. Some suggested to extending the transfer station hours, have transfer station signage to inform new or visiting residents of the transfer station, possibly have communal dumpsters as well as other ideas that will be further looked into.

"We are really hoping the bears have gone into hibernation now," said McDonald.

 

The conservation officer did mention that he has not had a reported sighting in a few days. If residents do see the bears, they are asked to please call the RAPP Line at 1 877 952 7277. Bylaw enforcement will be on patrol Wednesday evenings and fines will be handed out if needed for residents that are still leaving their garbage out.