Elk Valley residents can take advantage of a cost-sharing program aimed at reducing the number of bear encounters in the area.
People living in Jaffray, Fernie, Sparwood, Elkford, and Hosmer, and local ranches and farms can apply for financial assistance to install electric fencing or fruit tree removal/replacement.
“The Kootenays are grizzly bear country and recreation country. Having people and bears share space can be challenging at times,” said Clayton Lamb, Wildlife Biologist.
“We’re noticing that conflicts are going up and people are having a hard time with bears, so we want to get tools that we know work into people’s hands.”
Residents can apply to get 50 per cent, up to $1,000, of the cost of installing an electric fence covered.
“The electric fencing is provided to people who want to secure their chicken coops, gardens or livestock from bears,” said Lamb.
“We want owners to have some skin in the game so they maintain those fences, but keep the cost from being a huge barrier.”
Lamb said electric fencing is an effective deterrent for bears and other large carnivores.
“As an example, there’s an area where they put road kill in the Kootenays. These areas have electric fencing, and you can imagine that a number of dead elk is an incredibly attractive meal,” said Lamb.
“We can effectively keep bears out of those areas with electric fencing. It’s just a couple of wires with the same energizer for cattle fencing.”
The program also has tree removal/replacement options for residents who no longer want to keep fruit trees, which can attract bears.
“We can provide landowners up to $400 per tree. They can remove it themselves or hire a professional to do it,” said Lamb.
“They can also use that money to find a replacement. There are plenty of trees that can provide that shade and beauty in the yard without worrying about waking up and seeing a bear looking through your window.”
The cost-sharing program has support from the B.C. government, Biodiversity Pathways, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, and Teck Coal.
“This is some external money that we have to help work towards a solution,” said Lamb. “The ultimate goal here is that the province and municipalities pick this up, but we’re filling the gaps where they are now.”
Funds are limited and dolled out on a first-come-first-serve basis, and you can apply by contacting [email protected].
Something going on in your part of the Kootenays you think people should know about? Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
