Bear activity is once again on the rise in Kitimat, where poor waste-handling habits are drawing animals into town and fuelling an increase in complaints, according to the BC Conservation Officer Service.
“There’s an increase of bear calls, ranging from sightings to human-habituated, food-conditioned bears,” said Conservation Officer Micha Kneller. “There’s always an uptick in bear calls for this time of year … it’s just disappointing that people still leave garbage out and bears are still getting into it.”
Kneller said the behaviour not only puts residents at risk but also leads to unfavourable outcomes for bears that become food-conditioned. One female bear removed last year had become so habituated she was pushing open garage doors at night.
While reports this season have been limited to sightings — including of a grizzly and her cubs — Kneller said there’s growing concern about young bears becoming more emboldened as they continue accessing unsecured waste.
Surrounded by wilderness, Kitimat sits in prime bear territory. But Kneller said the town’s recurring problems with attractants are largely due to human negligence.
“It’s careless to just neglectful,” he said. “People need to do a better job at securing their garbage. That means freezing things that stink — fish waste, crab — stuff that creates a foul odour for two weeks before pickup.”
Garbage should be stored in a garage when possible, he added, but not one that can be accessed by a bear. And while many residents hesitate to report bear activity out of fear the animal will be destroyed, Kneller said early calls give officers a better chance to intervene before it’s too late.
“By the time we end up getting called about these bear issues, it’s too late. There’s bears pushing garage doors and there’s nothing we can do at that point — we have to remove them,” he said.
Conservation officers in the region are based out of Terrace and cover a broad area stretching from Kitwanga to Prince Rupert. And Kitimat is standing out — but for all the wrong reasons.
“The majority of the bear complaints are coming from [Kitimat],” Kneller said. “People in the city of Kitimat need to do a better job of securing attractants.”
On May 22, the District of Kitimat issued a Grizzly Alert after sightings of a grizzly bear and cub near the Giant Spruce and Dyke Road area, including around the pumphouses. The public was urged to be cautious when travelling through the area.
Seasonal reminders issued by the district have also encouraged residents to take basic steps to reduce conflicts with wildlife. Messaging on social media urges proper storage of curbside waste, freezing of odorous food scraps, making noise while hiking, and avoiding solo trips into the backcountry. “We live in bear country,” one post read, “so don’t let any of our fuzzy friends bruin your day.”
But Kneller said messaging alone isn’t enough. “This is an ongoing problem in Kitimat. The people need to do a better job at securing their garbage,” he said. “And the city of Kitimat needs to do something more than what they’re doing because they’re not doing enough.”
He pointed to the lack of wildlife feeding bylaws and the absence of enforcement around unsecured garbage, compost, or food waste. While the provincial Wildlife Act prohibits feeding or attracting dangerous wildlife — including bears — and allows officers to issue fines or orders under Sections 33.1 and 88.1, those measures are typically applied after an animal becomes habituated or poses a safety risk. Penalties under the Act can reach up to $100,000 or a year in jail.
The province has long encouraged municipalities to adopt local bylaws to support prevention, including rules around garbage storage and feeding bans. Without those tools, Kneller says enforcement is limited and often comes too late. In communities like Kitimat, where bear calls continue to rise, he says decisive municipal action is needed to keep both residents and wildlife safe.
Bear sightings and other wildlife concerns can be reported to the BC Conservation Officer Service’s 24-hour RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).
