Grizzly bear seen in elementary school playground in Whistler

Mounties in Whistler are warning the public after a grizzly bear was spotted in the playground of a local elementary school.

Whistler RCMP made the announcement on X that the bear was seen in the lower playground of Myrtle Phillips Elementary School Wednesday morning.

Police and conservation officers have searched the area, but haven’t found the bear. The school district is aware.

A notification to the public of a grizzly bear spotted earlier this morning in the lower playground of Myrtle Phillips Elementary School. Police and @_BCCOS have been in the area and the bear has not been located. The school is aware @SD48seatosky @RMWhistler

— Whistler RCMP (@WhistlerRCMP) October 11, 2023

This sighting comes after two people were killed in a grizzly bear attack in Banff National Park earlier this month.

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The BC Conservation Officer Service says bears are currently experiencing extreme urges to eat food in preparation for their winter hibernation. It urged people to secure fruit and vegetable gardens, beehives, chickens, and other small livestock to keep them out of backyards and communities.

Bears are in their hyperphagia (extreme urge to eat food) phase in preparation for winter, and to keep them out of communities it is crucial to secure fruit and vegetable gardens, beehives, chickens, and other small livestock.

— BC CO Service (@_BCCOS) October 11, 2023