Article content continued

“Officers believe that this could also be the bear that was seen in Glenmore Landing several weeks ago.”

Cox said the young bear, which wasn’t injured in the incident, appears to have been attracted by recycling bins in residential communities, looking for an easy snack as it fattens up for hibernation.

In early September, a series of sightings along the southeastern edge of the Glenmore Reservoir prompted Fish and Wildlife officials to post warning signs along nearby pathways and to set up a mobile bear trap in the area.

Cox said the captured bear was not previously tagged, but officers determined its paws were about the same size as the elusive bruin from last month.

Officials will relocate the bear to a remote area northwest of Calgary after assessing its health.

Cox said the close encounter should serve as a reminder even to those in crowded urban areas to ensure they minimize attractants on their properties, especially as bears look to put on weight before winter.

“Managing attractants on your property is especially important at this time of year. The bears are trying harder and harder to eat as much as they can because they need to put on fat for the winter,” he said.

“Bears are opportunistic feeders and will eat almost anything, from toothpaste to ground squirrels. They search for meals by rummaging and investigating possible food sources and are quick to learn that when they see or smell humans, there’s a good chance there’s something to eat nearby.”

Cox said relocating problem bears is never an ideal solution, especially if they’ve come to rely on humans as a reliable source of food.

“Bears that are severely food-conditioned may return, even after being moved long distances, or they will find another human-populated area where food has been left out,” he said.

“Also, some relocated bears may die from stress or lack of food if they can’t establish new territory right away, or they may be killed by other, more dominant bears.”

slogan@postmedia.com

On Twitter: @ShawnLogan403