Be bear smart

Be bear smart

Don’t invite bears over for a midnight snack.

Bears and other wildlife will come into our communities looking for easy sources of food. Residential collection carts, fruit trees, bird feeders and other human-related food sources are strong attractants. Once a bear receives a food reward it can lose its natural wariness of humans. Food-conditioned bears can pose a serious safety risk in communities and may need to be trapped and relocated or even euthanized.

Prevent this from happening by securing all food attractants and by managing your waste properly.

Here are some things you can do:

Do

  • Set your carts out no earlier than 5 a.m. and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day.
  • Put away your carts after collection, no later than 7 p.m.
  • Freeze food waste prior to putting it out in the green cart on your collection day. 
  • Clean the carts periodically to reduce odours.
  • Store your carts inside a garage or other secure enclosure.

Note: Secure storage options are available offering an alternative to limited garage space. These enclosures can be purchased or built. An example of such is found here: https://haulall.com/hid-a-cart/

Don't

  • Don't put your carts out overnight.
  • We kindly ask our residents to work with their neighbors if their schedule doesn't allow them to put out their carts between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on their collection day.
  • Let's all do our part to keep our community safe and avoid attracting bears and other wildlife.

 

 

 

garbage

Store your carts inside an enclosure like a shed or garage to prevent animals from getting into your bins

It's important to remember that overnight cart set out has been identified as a significant attractant of bears and other wildlife. That's why we recommend only putting out your carts the morning of collection, this is standard practice in many municipalities that have a history of bear-human conflicts.

Wildlife affected areas

As part of Waste Bylaw 4M2020, The City of Calgary may occasionally need to temporarily designate specific communities as “Wildlife affected” areas if bears or other wildlife become an issue. Special requirements for waste storage and collection will go in effect for residents to follow when this designation goes into place.

  • The temporary 'wildlife affected' area declaration in Discovery Ridge, has now ended as of November 2023.. We thank Discovery Ridge residents who diligently followed Bear Smart best practices during this period. 

Learn more about living with wildlife and preventing conflicts.

Click here

Alberta Fish & Wildlife advises that if you do encounter a bear: Do not panic and quickly collect your children and pets and go indoors. Call your nearest Fish & Wildlife office at 310-0000 or 1-800-642-3800 to report your encounter.

Together we can keep our neighbours and any visiting bears safe.

drop-off/landfill-throw-n-go-facilities,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null,undefined/null