Reports of snack-seeking bears popping up in Trail neighbourhoods have the local RCMP reminding homeowners and tenants to cut down on potential bear attractants in vehicles and yards. 

These hungry, hibernation-bound bruins are on the lookout for easy meals, and any leftovers could easily tempt them into mischief. 

Take late Friday night, for instance: RCMP officers responded to a call from a home on Rossland Avenue, in the Trail Gulch. 

A bear break-in was reported in-progress with the home鈥檚 occupants locking themselves in a room as the animal strolled into their residence, evidently on the prowl for a midnight snack. 

Officers soon located the furry intruder 鈥� described as 鈥渨ell-fed and chonky鈥� 鈥� and managed to scare it off the property. 

Earlier that day, officers were called to investigate a similar incident on Haig Street in Warfield. 

This time, a vehicle bore the telltale signs of a bear attempting to 鈥渂reak and enter,鈥� with paw prints stamped across its exterior. 

The vehicle owner admitted that a food item may have been left inside overnight 鈥� an irresistible invite for a curious and hungry bruin. 

鈥淚n order to reduce human-wildlife conflict, please lock your vehicles and remove all possible bear attractants from your vehicles and property,鈥� advises Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. 

The Trail RCMP has been in talks with the BC Conservation Officer Service to ramp up conflict-reduction programs in the area. 

Until then, Wicentowich urges residents to secure their homes, vehicles, and outdoor spaces, reminding everyone to clean up all potential food sources 鈥� before a chonky bear does it for them.