BE BEAR WISE
People are reminded to take the necessary steps to help avoid attracting black bears into populated areas. Garbage, outdoor grills and bird feed commonly attract black bears. Minimize your chances of attracting black bears by:
- Putting garbage out only on the morning of collection.
- Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Put away bird feeders and offer natural alternatives like flowers, nesting boxes and freshwater.
- Clean outdoor grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath
Not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Here is who to call if you encounter a bear.
Emergency situations: Call 9-1-1
Or your local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
- enters a school yard when school is in session
- stalks people and lingers at the site
- enters or tries to enter a residence
- wanders into a public gathering
- kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site
Police will respond first to an emergency situation, but may request assistance from the ministry during daylight hours
Non-emergency encounters:
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 if a bear:
- roams around or checks garbage cans
- breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored
- is in a tree
- pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue
- moves through a backyard or field but does not linger
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.
For more information on how you can be Bear Wise and prevent bear encounters go to Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry or click the link here