Inuvik on heightened bear watch with landfill fence electrified

After at least five recent bear sightings in Inuvik, the town is trying to reduce the animals’ activity near the community and prevent more encounters in residential areas.

Last year, the town began constructing a bear-deterrent fence around the landfill. That fence was electrified this April as part of ongoing efforts to keep bears out of the waste site during peak foraging season.

Concern has since grown as residents report continued bear sightings in and around town, leading to the creation of a dedicated informal Facebook group to monitor bears.

Mayor Peter Clarkson said the timing of the fence activation was intentional, aimed at preventing bears from accessing a key food source as they begin foraging.

According to him, the installation of cameras around the fenced area is also complete. Those cameras are being used to monitor bear activity – and whether animals attempt to breach the barrier or are deterred by the electric system.

“There are a couple of videos where they have been repelled by the electric fence. And so far, no bears have gotten into the fence,” Clarkson told Cabin Radio.

“Now, we have had bears in the community, but Environment and Climate Change as well as our bylaw officers, the RCMP and the general public have all been watching for any bears coming into town.”

Clarkson said that last year, even before the fence was completed, three grizzly bears were dispatched and three more were deterred away from town. While he said he had not heard of any bears being shot this year, he acknowledged ongoing risks.

He estimated that at least five to six bears have been confirmed entering or approaching the community this season, though he said repeat sightings could involve the same animals.

Clarkson said residents were already concerned about bears before the landfill fence. While some worry it could make things worse, he believes conditions haven’t changed compared to 2025, when younger bears often ended up in town after being pushed out of the landfill by larger bears.

Noting the challenges of managing wildlife in a region surrounded by natural habitat, he said the long-term strategy remains removing incentives for bears to approach the town.

“The solution is to keep the bears out of the landfill so they’re not getting a food reward there,” he said.

“Keep the town nice and clean. We have bear-proof garbage containers throughout the entire town for people to use. We’ve been able to implement those over the last five years, for everyone to reduce the number of attractions and then repel any bears that are coming into town, so that those bears then return to their natural habitat and we don’t have so many bears around in Inuvik.”

Asked about communication with ECC, he said the town’s protective services and bylaw officers are in contact with them almost daily, sharing information and coordinating responses. 

Clarkson said the decision to build a fence had two triggers. One reason was an unusually high number of grizzly bears – estimated at about 40 over the year – using the landfill, which artificially concentrated them in one area. The fence was also a requirement of the landfill’s water licence with the Gwich’in Land and Water Board.

He added that this approach aligns with practices across North America, where bear-proof fencing is used at landfills in bear habitats to keep wildlife in their natural ecosystems.

Deputy mayor Steven Baryluk, who doubles as an NWT government manager of wildlife management, said online that this is the first year the landfill has been fenced, making it the period when bear activity is most likely and when heightened vigilance is needed.

If bears are not able to obtain food rewards, Baryluk wrote, their presence should gradually decline over the coming months.

“There are many examples of other communities that have fenced their landfills and done well managing attractants that have significantly reduced or eliminated bear issues within a season or two,” he stated.

Residents in Inuvik can report bears that may pose a public safety risk by contacting the ECC regional wildlife emergency line at 867-678-0289.