3 bears captured in Discovery Ridge and Griffith Woods Park

Three bears were captured in southwest Calgary Friday morning.

Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers told CTV News they've caught three out of four bears that were spotted in Griffith Woods Park and parts of Discovery Ridge.

Officers were tracking the last cub late Friday morning.

Friday, Fish and Wildlife sent CTV News a statement, part of which said, "As of Oct. 28, one black bear sow and two cubs have been captured, and officers are currently trying to capture the third cub.

"Further decisions about the bears will be carefully made based on the Government of Alberta’s Black Bear Response Guide and taking into account both the bears and public safety."

Nicole Starkman usually walks her dogs in Griffith Woods Park.

She says the bear sightings are a stark reminder about how close wildlife now is to the city.

"It kind of changes the way you view living in Calgary," she said. "With so many different green spaces like this available, especially being a dog owner, there are many opportunities to walk a dog, but we've seen coyotes as well."

3 bears were caught in Griffith Woods Park Friday morning. Bear activity has caused Alberta Fish and Wildlife to close parts of Griffith Woods Park until Oct.28 (Photo: Twitter/@FWEnforcement)

BEAR SIGHTINGS

On Wednesday, Alberta Fish and Wildlife announced more bear sightings in Discovery Ridge and Griffith Woods Park, saying numerous black bears been sighted in the area, getting into unsecured compost and garbage bins.

As a result, parts of these areas were closed to the public through Oct.28, as wildlife officers attempted to capture the bears.

The agency attributed the bear activity to the season, as bears try to store up enough fat to make it through the winter. That often results in conflict with humans as they seek out unsecured food sources like garbage and compost bins, bird feeders, pet food and ornamental fruit-bearing trees.

UPDATE ON BEAR ACTIVITY IN #yyc: Areas are closed to the public through October 28 as officers work to capture bears seeking out food around the communities of Discovery Ridge & Griffith Woods. More details: https://t.co/41XaTmpHZm pic.twitter.com/i5tYuVhwuF

— Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement (@FWEnforcement) October 26, 2022

Fish and Wildlife offered the following bear smart strategies for residents to follow:

• Store garbage in bear-resistant and odour-proof containers or buildings until it can be removed from your property;
• Don't leave pet food outside or stored in areas accessible to bears;
• Avoid using bird feeders from April 1 to Nov. 30;
• Clean barbecues and outdoor eating areas after use;
• Store smokehouses and animal carcasses, including bones, hides and waste, in bear-resistant buildings away from people;
• Properly maintain or remove gardens and fruit-bearing trees or shrubs;
• Consider using an indoor composter;
• Aerate outdoor compost piles frequently and cover these with soil or lime; and
• Don't put meat, fish, oils and milk products in compost piles.