Recently a grizzly (yes, a real grizzly) was spotted near an orchard along Old Vernon Road.

According to Conservation officer Terry Myconick a dog scared the bear off, but conservation officers were unable to track it down.

"We are not certain it is still in the area, but it probably came down from the higher country and the hope is that it went back up there."

Myconick says the bears have a bad reputation and that even the word "grizzly" strikes fear in people.

"They are not all that different in behaviour than black bears and being that the grizzly bear is somewhat in a threat of population locally we can't afford to lose them."

Traditionally grizzly bears have inhabited much of North America, says Myconick, but recently sightings have diminished.

"We have had the odd sighting up in Kelowna's more rural areas, but our local population is not abundant by any means."

The bear that was recently spotted is not a threat to public safety says Myconick, but rather the threat is for the bear's safety.

"Sometimes paranoia sets in and people take matters in their own hands and shoot the bear. We don't want that to happen. We want to move that bear out into an area where it would be less likely to come into contact."

The grizzly bear population in the Okanagan is recovering according to Myconick and Conservation officers are trying to track down any bears that may be in the area and move them to a more appropriate vicinity.

If you see a grizzly bear call B.C. Conservation's 24 hour phone line at 1-877-952-7277.

Grizzly spotted near Old Vernon Road