Living safely with bears and other wildlife

The District is home to a variety of wild animals, including skunks, raccoons, coyotes, cougars, and bears. Whether they're searching for food, or looking for a warm place to call home, there are steps you can take to make your property less inviting to them.

Make your garbage and organics carts less attractive to animals

The garbage and organics carts with wheels and locking lids that we supply are animal resistant, but are not animal proof.

You still need to properly handle and store your food scraps, and avoid putting them into your garbage cart, to ensure they do not attract bears and other animals.

Learn more about the District-supplied carts

Wrap your food scraps

Use old newspapers — which are permitted in your organics cart — to wrap your kitchen scraps before you place them in your cart.
 

Freeze your food scraps

Freeze food scraps such as meat, bones, and skin, and add it to your green cart on the morning of your collection.
 

Layer your organics

Place your food scraps between layers of garden and yard waste in your organics cart to help minimize odours.
 

Keep your organics cart clean

Rinse out the inside of your organics cart occasionally to help prevent food odours from building up.
 

Be bear aware

Bears are also attracted to foods that are not part of your garbage, and will wander into our neighbourhoods after being attracted by fruit trees bearing over-ripe fruit, or easily accessible bird feeders, among other things. 

Learn how to bear proof your yard

Review what to do if you encounter a bear

Report a bear sighting to 604-990-BEAR (2327)

Report a cougar sighting

Cougar sightings in the District are rare. However, the backcountry areas surrounding the district are cougar territory and on occasion, cougars have been spotted in our neighbourhoods.

Learn what to do if you see a cougar 

Report a cougar sighting to 604-990-2327