Whitehorse residents warned of rummaging bear

Residents in several Whitehorse neighbourhoods are being asked to watch out for a bear that has been rummaging through people's garbage before it beds down for the winter.

Yukon conservation officers say they've fielded eight calls over the past two days from residents in the Copper Ridge, Logan and Arkell neighbourhoods, complaining that their garbage cans and compost bins have been knocked over.

The culprit appears to be a young black bear that is trying to fatten up before it begins hibernating this winter, conservation officer Aaron Koss-Young said.

"We've talked to the residents and asked them to keep their garbage and any other attractants locked up where the bears can't access them," Koss-Young told CBC News on Thursday.

"As long as there is no attractants there, the bears should move along and go into hibernation here shortly, hopefully."

Koss-Young said the bears could be using a number of trails behind the affected homes, including trails "along behind Finch and the greenbelts behind Arkell there as well.

"Just practice good bear awareness," he said.

"Make lots of noise when you are travelling, keep your pets under control, and make sure any attractants in your yards or on your property are put away — that's barbecues, bird feeders, any garbage or compost that might attract bears."