PHOTOS: Black bear makes itself at home on Southern Alberta property

A homeowner in Southern Alberta had an unexpected guest show up yesterday afternoon.

Rick Kohlruss was surprised to see a young black bear lounging outside his home, located near the hamlet of Cayley, south of Calgary, on Oct. 9.

"This is the first time we've ever had a bear," said Kohlruss, who has had foxes, coyotes, owls and more in his yard over the last four decades. "We don't usually get them this far out from the mountains."

Kohlruss grows apples and berries, which likely attracted the bear to his yard.

The bear showed up around 2 p.m. and was observed climbing trees, defecating and sleeping, he said, adding that it did not display any aggressive behaviour.

Kohlruss said he called Alberta Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services but was told that officers would not be able to respond.

"They said it's private property, so either scare it off or shoot it, which is ignorant, I think," he said.

"I've got guns here and I've shot varmints, but why kill [the bear]? It's just a cub," he said. "And if I scare it off, it goes to the next yard. Maybe the next yard has got kids out in the yard."

Alberta Fish and Wildlife did not respond to a request for comment ahead of publication.

When Kohlruss went to bed, the bear was still hanging out in a tree, leaving him to wonder what to do if it stayed any longer.

When he woke up the next morning, it was gone without a trace, save for some scat.

"I would like to see him go back to the mountains," said Kohlruss. "There's lots of black bears running around."

According to Kohlruss, this particular bear is not new to the area: other neighbours had spotted what is likely the same bear in their yards previously, and Kolhruss himself had seen it twice, at a neighbouring property and a nearby golf course, over the last few days.

This sighting is the latest in a series of predatory wildlife encounters by Foothills residents recently, including two cougar attacks on small pets in the span of two weeks and a black bear spotted in Okotoks in September.

With winter imminent, bears are increasingly likely to venture into residential areas looking for food as they prepare to enter hibernation. Foothills residents are advised to take appropriate precautions to prevent bear encounters, including making garbage and all forms of food inaccessible to wild animals. 

The Town of Okotoks website offers detailed information from Alberta Parks on bear sightings.

Report bear sightings to Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-642-3800.