Conservation Officers are asking East Kootenay residents to step up and take extra care with attractants as an unusual amount of bear activity continues.
"We have been very busy," said Conservation Officer Joe Carravetta. "Hunting season has started but it's mostly bears consuming a large portion of our time. They are an issue in Kimberley, Fernie and Elkford especially."
Carravetta says the issue is a very poor supply of the natural food source — berries — in the high alpine and bears are coming down into towns to feed before hibernating.
"We have put down four bears in Kimberley since August," he said. "These were bears that were breaking into garages and residences, which is a sign of aggression. We had no choice but to put them down.
"We really need the public to step up and keep attractants controlled and hopefully the bears will not become habituared and move on."