Black bear spotted in southwest Calgary

A bear is somewhere in the southwest Calgary community of Discovery Ridge, leading to a portion of Griffith Woods Park being closed with bear traps set up to capture the animal.

“My hopes are that they get early enough, that’s why we reported it and get him out of here,” said Discovery Ridge resident Cody Tritter.

It’s not the first time for residents of the area, who are now taking necessary precautions.

The city is requesting residents follow the ‘Bear Smart’ practice by setting garbage carts out no earlier than 5 a.m. and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, and putting them away before 7 p.m.

Residents are also asked to clean their carts periodically and store them inside a garage or another secure location.

“We find it inconvenient but a lot of people are afraid of bears and that’s their choice I guess,” one man told CityNews.

“Especially with the forest so close right, wildlife — it’s inevitable right,” a resident said.

The Discovery Ridge Community Association said Friday the bear has reportedly also rummaged through garbage placed outside homes in the neighbourhood.

“Last year in October, we saw a black bear and he hung around the community just up until about hibernation — the middle of November — and then he came out again about a week ago on our trail camera,” Tritter said. “So, we got some footage of him. I just kind of sat around in the back woods trying to find some food I think out of hibernation.”

This isn’t the first bear incident in Discovery Ridge, which is located close to wildlife habitats in the far southwest of the city.

In October 2022, a black bear and her four cubs had to be euthanized by wildlife officers, leading to the city changing waste bylaw rules.

“I think because we live so close to the park and we are so close to nature we do have a responsibility to keep our bins inside and do what we can to keep their life separate from our as much as we can while living close together,” one woman told CityNews.

“I feel that the bears have as much right to be here as we do and so whatever we can to protect the Bears and protect ourselves we just have to both be on the lookout,” another said.

Anyone who sees the bear is asked to contact Alberta Fish and Wildlife.