Wandering Penticton bear given a second chance

PENTICTON – An errant black bear caught wandering in Penticton’s industrial area received a reprieve from conservation officers today.

Conservation officer Jim Beck says the young female bear was sighted this morning, Sept. 21, on the upper reaches of Warren Avenue in the city’s industrial park.

Beck says the bear was tranquillized, evaluated and assessed, eventually being considered a candidate for relocation.

He says his office looked at the various factors including the bear’s history with human contact before making the decision. The bear was released a short distance away later this morning with an ear tag.

Beck says his office is counting on residents to be “bear smart to help ensure the bear stays alive."

“There is a good chance it will return to the fringes of the city. At the end of the day, the citizens will determine the fate of the bear,” he says, adding it’s very important for people to realize they have a role to play in keeping attractants away from the bears.

Beck says most South Okanagan communities are reporting bears in their midst these days, but it isn’t any different than other years as the bruins look for food to fatten up before they go into hibernation.

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