While the black bear that was spotted wandering through Westmount on Sept. 18 has not been seen since, Alberta Fish and Wildlife is "closely monitoring the situation and will take appropriate action should the bear be seen again in the area," according to a statement on Sept. 19.
"The bear was observed wandering in the vicinity, but there were no reports of it scavenging in garbage," continued Sheena Campbell, director of communications for the Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services, in the statement.
"This was a sighting report only, and no further incidents involving the bear have been reported since."
Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers responded to the scene after being notified of the situation and observed the bear as it made its way through the neighbourhood, said Okotoks RCMP Sgt. John Klassen.
"Due to the conditions in the dark, [Alberta Fish and Wildlife] wouldn't tranquilize an animal in those questionable conditions," Klassen continued.
"The bear was just monitored for a while and then eventually the [Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers] just left and we haven't got a call back, so we're assuming it's just left town."
The black bear was filmed by Leslee Horniachek, who spotted it on her driveway camera at 2:19 a.m. on Sept. 18.
Horniachek, an Okotoks resident since 1994, said she had never seen a bear within town limits before.
"Funny he didn’t tip over any garbages...he was very unconcerned with the garbage bins," she added, noting that Wednesday is the Westmount neighbourhood's scheduled waste collection day.
As Okotoks is located in a wildlife corridor that many animals may enter as they make their way along the Sheep River Valley, bear sightings are known to occur.
Alberta Fish and Wildlife was unable to provide statistics on bear sightings in Okotoks or the surrounding area.
The Town of Okotoks website offers detailed information from Alberta Parks on bear sightings and encounters.
Klassen hopes the incident will be seen as a reminder to remain vigilant about wildlife while preventing encounters by keeping food locked up and garbage cans secured.
"It's that time of year when bears will be hunting for food for hibernation...they're hungry, they're going to come to town," he said.
Report sightings of bears and other potentially dangerous wildlife to Alberta Fish and Wildlife at 1-800-642-3800.
