Hey, what's that yellow sticker on my garbage?
By Nelson Daily Staff
WildSafeBC has been out patrolling the streets of Nelson after dark looking for residents who might be attracting wildlife without knowing.
WildSafeBC visited Fort Shepherd Driver tagging garbage with yellow stickers to warn the public about leaving refuse out before the allowable time.
“We tagged seven garbage containers while out at 9 p.m, the night before garbage collection, near Fort Shepherd,” Joanne Siderius of WildSafeBC said in a media release.
“While seven cans may not seem like a lot, it is enough garbage to teach a bear to return to the community for more food.”
Nelson’s wildlife attractant bylaw prohibits garbage being placed out on the curb before 7 a.m. the morning of garbage collection.
Siderius said while many people may be aware that garbage attracts bears to our community, some may not be aware that garbage also attracts skunks, raccoons, coyotes, rats, dogs and other animals to nearby streets.
Siderius said garbage is one of the main attractants for bears, not just in Nelson but in the communities of Regional District of Central Kootenay Areas E and F as well.
A few tips to help keep wildlife wild and communities are:
- Keep your garbage in a location inaccessible to bears.
- If you do not have secure garbage storage, you can freeze the smelly food items until collection day or take the garbage directly to the landfill.
- A bear-resistant bin will reduce your chances of conflict.
Anyone seeing wildlife in the residential area are asked to contact Conservation Officer Service hotline at: 1-877-952-7277.
For more information on how to wildlife-proof homes, go to Facebook at WildSafeBC Nelson, or visit www.wildsafebc.com.
WildSafeBC receives sponsorship through B.C. Ministry of the Environment, the Regional District of Central Kootenay and The British Columbia Conservation Foundation along with financial support of Columbia Basin Trust.
