A video of a massive black bear invading a Nanaimo couple's carport serves as a reminder of what happens when food is left out during hibernation season.
Kyle Edwards and his partner Jaimie heard a noise coming from their carport late Wednesday night, so they opened the door – and came face-to-face with the hulking bear.
“His shoulders came to here,” said Edwards, placing his hand at waist height. “He was right against the wall. So he was a big boy.”
It also happened to be the one night the pair accidentally forgot to bring their dog’s food inside.
“He was sitting right there. He didn’t even care, he looked at me once and he just kept eating,” he said.
In the video, Edwards eventually yells at the bear to “get out of here” and the animal takes off.
The upstairs tenant, Leon Davis, said a couple of black bears have been spotted in the area over the last two weeks.
“One of the two bears was seen across the road at the neighbour’s house, wandering down the street,” he said. “The third time was last night with the large bear.”
Davis said neighbours have dubbed the big bear “Optimus Prime.”
But the BC Conservation Officer Service said it’s no laughing matter, because if the bear begins to show aggression it could become a life-and-death situation.
There are ways residents can do their part, including keeping any type of food on lockdown.
“You must keep bear attractants, whether its garbage or fruit, under control. Dog food is another one, barbecues even,” said Conservation officer Sgt. Ben York. “Keep it where the bear can’t get at it. If you don’t, you’re signing a death warrant for this bear.”
York said the bear in the video was likely trying to pack on a few pounds before hibernating for the winter.
“The more calories they have the longer they get to sleep, and the more comfortable they get to sleep,” he said.
He said the best thing to do when faced with a black bear is to make a lot of noise so it knows it’s not welcome.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Jessica Lepp
