The RMOW confirms that on Friday, September 27, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) received and attended calls about a bear entering a property in the Blueberry area.

The bear entered the home twice, while the home was occupied, damaging property while gaining access through a window. The occupants hazed the bear; however, it returned.

When the COS attended the scene, they found the bear near the property and it was deemed a risk to public safety. The bear was destroyed.

Bears are currently in a state of hyperphagia, which means they are very hungry and have a strong desire to eat. They will go to greater lengths to access food and have great learning abilities and memory, which they apply to this task. If they have obtained a food reward, they are likely to return to the same place to try to gain access.

Report sightings of bears around properties to the COS: 1-877-952-7277, so they can perform non-lethal hazing, deterring bears from properties. The earlier that the COS are aware of potential bear incidents, the better.