British Columbia

Black bear cubs tussle in Port Moody neighbourhood

A video captured this week in Port Moody reminds residents that bears are coming out of hibernation, and it's important to avoid attracting them with food or garbage.

Video was captured Monday night by a Port Moody resident who wanted to remind people the bears are back

Bear cubs out of hibernation play in Port Moody, B.C.

9 years ago
Duration 0:30
Elle Brovold spotted three bear cubs playing, with mother nearby, this week in Port Moody, B.C.

If you go out in the woods today — or even just take out your garbage — it's good to remember bears are coming out of hibernation and showing up in residential parts of Metro Vancouver.

Monday night, Port Moody resident Elle Brovold spotted what appeared to be three cubs and a mother bear near Forest Park Way in the city's Heritage Mountain neighbourhood.

She took a video showing two of the cubs tussling while another snuffles through the brush, and shared the video with CBC to remind people the bears are back.

Tonight, the city of Port Moody is holding its annual free Bear Essentials seminar, to teach people how to co-exist with bears, and what to do if they find one on a local trail.

Most importantly people should avoid leaving attractants — like pet food, garbage and bird feeders — anywhere a bear might access, according to the program's website.

Tips include:

  • Store garbage and organic waste securely indoors or in a bear-resistant enclosure.
  • Freeze food scraps until collection day.
  • Only put out garbage shortly before pick-up.
  • Store pet food indoors.
  • Clean barbeque grill and empty grease trap after each use.
  • Avoid use of bird feeders if bear visits are frequent.

Managing attractants is also required by the bylaws in Port Moody and other municipalities.