With bears now out of hibernation, signs have been posted at city parks providing tips on how to avoid conflicts with the animals.
The step comes after an audit determined 79 out of Prince George's 169 parks and greenspaces are particularly attractive to bears, due to such qualities as vicinity to rivers and forested landscapes.
Other steps being taken including maintaining bear-resistant garbage cans at parks with higher numbers of bears, locating play areas away from heavily vegetated areas, and improving lines of sight by planting bear-resistant plant species and removing or thinning vegetation near trailheads, trail switchbacks, and play areas.
The city plans to apply for the Provincial Bear Smart designation later this year.
For further information about bears and other wildlife in the community, visit www.princegeorge.ca/wildlife.
