As in most communities, garbage is greatest bear attractant in Prince George. When bears are able to access garbage, they become food conditioned (used to seeking out unnatural food sources) and even habituated (lost their fear of humans).  These traits both lead to an increased public safety risk, ultimately resulting in bears being killed by Conservation Officers.  We all have the power to prevent this outcome, by simply preventing bears from accessing our personal waste.

How to secure your garbage:

• Keep garbage indoors, either in your kitchen bin, or in a garage or other location until garbage collection day. 
  
• If you have food waste that is particularly smelly (i.e. bones, fish, etc) you can put it in your freezer until garbage day, to minimize the odour of your garbage.
• Store garbage in a sturdy enclosure or shed, keeping in mind that bears are strong and persistent. 
• Garbage should only be put curb-side for pickup on the morning of garbage day, after 4am. 
• Cleaning your garbage can to reduce odours will also make the container less attractive to bears.
• Use a ratchet strap to keep your can closed.  This will not keep a bear out, but it may deter a bear that can find easier meals elsewhere, and this method is better than leaving garbage unsecured.
  

Keep bears wild by preventing them from accessing garbage!