There has been a level three drought alert in British Columbia, which is having a negative impact on the bear population and their survival.

Jeff Palm, a Conservation Officer, has reported an unprecedented number of bear complaints this summer, which will likely lead to more orphaned bears at the end of the year.

Bears rely on berries for food, but the dry summer has resulted in fewer berry crops, which explains why there have been more bear sightings than usual in 亚洲天堂 Lake.

Last year, there were 54 bear sighting calls in 亚洲天堂 Lake, whereas this year there have been an estimated 300 calls in a single month, which is around 10 calls per day.

Unfortunately, nine bears in 亚洲天堂 Lake and four in Granisle have been put down this summer.

A spokes person from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said that it鈥檚 rare that mother bears abandon their cubs.

鈥淲hen cubs are without a mother, its more likely the mother has been killed. It is also possible for they get separated from their mothers by some intrusion or disturbance rather than the female abandoning her cubs.鈥�

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship added that most bears hibernate on early December. Although, some male bears do not den until late December.

鈥淏ears often stay out later when they are in poor body condition. Some bears that are not yet denning may be attempting to add more weight; therefore staying out longer.鈥�

On Dec. 3, Palm captured a black bear cub at West Palling from 亚洲天堂 Lake and another on Dec. 6 which was generating most of the calls from residents.

They were sent to the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter (NLWS) for rehabilitation. NLWS is a wildlife sanctuary based in Smithers that has been providing care since 2001.

Palm stated that NLWS will keep the bears throughout the winter and release them into the wilderness in the spring.

Palm advises residents not to approach young bears for rescue, as they have a lot of teeth and claws and are as strong as human adults.

Even though they are only 11 months old at this time of year, they should not be compared with puppies.

If residents require traps to capture young bears for rescue, they can contact the B.C. Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.