Keeping Sooke Bear Aware: Residents Reminded to Secure Wildlife Attractants

Sharing our community with wildlife is part of what makes Sooke special. With recent bear activity reported in several neighbourhoods, the District of Sooke is reminding residents of the importance of securing wildlife attractants to help keep people and wildlife safe.

Seeing a bear in Sooke is not unusual, and aggressive encounters are uncommon. However, when bears find accessible food sources such as garbage, compost or fallen fruit, they may return to neighbourhoods in search of food, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.

Under the District's Animal Regulation and Impounding Bylaw No. 392, residents are required to take reasonable steps to secure wildlife attractants. These requirements help protect both residents and wildlife by preventing bears from becoming accustomed to human food sources.

Small Actions Make a Big Difference

Residents can help by taking a few simple steps around their homes and properties:

• Secure garbage and recycling: Store waste in a secure building or wildlife-resistant container, and place bins at the curb only on the morning of collection.
• Manage compost: Use secure compost containers and avoid adding meat, fish or dairy products to backyard compost.
• Remove or secure bird feeders: Birdseed can attract bears, even when feeders are elevated. Consider temporarily removing feeders when bears are active.
• Keep barbecues clean: Remove food residue and clean grease traps after each use.
• Pick fruit promptly: Harvest ripe fruit and regularly collect fallen fruit from the ground.
• Secure pet food and livestock feed: Feed pets indoors whenever possible and store food where wildlife cannot access it.

The District's approach emphasizes education and prevention, with enforcement measures, including fines, available when attractants are not properly secured.

Reporting Bear Activity and Attractant Concerns

A bear passing through a neighbourhood does not necessarily indicate a problem. Residents should give wildlife plenty of space, never approach or feed bears, and allow them to move through the area safely.

If concerns arise:

• Unsecured attractants: Report concerns about properties where garbage or other attractants are not being properly secured to District of Sooke Bylaw Enforcement at sooke.ca/bylaw.
• Wildlife conflicts: Report bears accessing attractants, lingering in residential areas or displaying aggressive behaviour to the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.
• Immediate emergencies: Call 911 if there is an immediate threat to public safety.

Learn More About Living with Wildlife

Residents can find practical tips for managing attractants, information about local bylaw requirements and additional resources for living safely alongside wildlife at sooke.ca/bearaware.

Those interested in learning more are also invited to attend the Wild Wise Society's 2nd Annual Wildlife Coexistence Symposium on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Edward Milne Community School. The event brings together wildlife experts, conservation organizations and community members to explore safe coexistence with wildlife. General admission is $10. Learn more about the symposium.

Keeping Sooke bear aware is a shared responsibility. By securing attractants, sharing information with neighbours and looking out for one another, we can help keep our community safe and wildlife wild.