(File photo: CBC)
An out of town visitor on a trail in Saanich had an encounter with a black bear Saturday evening.
Saanich police say the man was enjoying the trail when he came across the animal around 6 p.m in the Hector Road area.
The man was able to take action to get away, and police report the bear did not act aggressively.
Officials are reminding the public that bears are active this time of year in areas such as in rural Saanich where this encounter took place.
They say that it is a result of readily available berries and fresh fruit.
Police say that to avoid an encounter the public can carry noisemakers in certain areas, keep food indoors, pick fruit on your property including fallen fruit. Garbage and compost should also not be accessible to wildlife.
Julian Kolsut
