# Human-bear conflict prevention in Greater Victoria

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/human-bear-conflict-prevention-in-greater-victoria
> Updated: 2026-10-22T18:30:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Wildlife organizations are urging residents of Greater Victoria and the South Island to secure food sources to prevent dangerous encounters with black bears. As bears enter hyperphagia to build fat reserves for winter, they seek calorie-dense foods such as bird feeders, garbage, compost, and fallen fruit.

Wild Wise Society and WildSafe BC Pacific Rim have highlighted that improper management of attractants can cause bears to lose their natural fear of humans. Such behavioral changes often result in bears being classified as public safety risks, leading to euthanasia by conservation officers. Data indicates that garbage was responsible for 53 per cent of human-bear conflicts in British Columbia over a four-year period. On the South Island, the number of bears destroyed by officers decreased from 15 in 2024 to two in 2025.

## Claims

- Garbage accounted for 53 per cent of human-bear conflicts in British Columbia over a four-year period. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A typical bird feeder can contain up to 18,000 calories. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Two black bears were destroyed by conservation officers on the South Island in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The number of black bears destroyed on the South Island in 2024 was 15. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The BC SPCA suggests pulling pumpkins inside after Halloween to prevent wildlife conflicts. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-22: South Island residents urged to remove bird feeders to protect black bears

South Island residents are urged to remove bird feeders and secure food sources like garbage and pumpkins to prevent black bears from seeking human-sourced calories ahead of winter hibernation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-island-residents-urged-to-remove-bird-feeders-to-protect-black-bears

### 2026-10-07: Greater Victoria residents urged to secure food attractants to prevent bear conflicts

The Wild Wise Society is advising Greater Victoria residents to secure food attractants like garbage and bird feeders to prevent bear conflicts during the winter hyperphagia period.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greater-victoria-residents-urged-to-secure-food-attractants-to-prevent-bear-conflicts

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Cite as: Human-bear conflict prevention in Greater Victoria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/human-bear-conflict-prevention-in-greater-victoria