Thursday, June 12, 2014

Bear sightings

This spring, the North Bay Police Service has received the following reports of bear sightings from concerned citizens:
May 5: Ongoing sightings of bears on Larocque Road.
May 31: Sighting of two bears at chip stand, Hwy 11 North.
June 3: Bear and two cubs on Cedar Heights/Collins Drive area.
June 3: Bear in backyard on Bain Street.
June 7: Bear and cub eating from bird feeder on Kenwood Hills Drive.
June 9: Large bear crossing Lamorie Street at Lakeshore.
June 10: The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority reports that a black bear and cubs have been sighted in the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area.
June 11: Bear in backyard on Bain Street.

Nobody was hurt as a result of these sightings. However, the North Bay Police would like to advise the public that bears can be dangerous.

Avoid attracting bears by:
Bringing in your bird feeders;
Feeding pets indoors;
Removing grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease cup underneath, after each use;
Keeping garbage and blue boxes inside until the morning of garbage/recycling collection day;
Storing garbage in secure garbage bins.

For information on being "bear wise", visit the Ministry of Natural Resources “Be Bear Wise” website.  For more information on bears, bear encounters and how to deal with an encounter with a bear, visit Staying Safe - Bearsmart and/or Living Smart with Bears - Wildsmart.

If you see a bear, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources’ Bear Reporting Line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY) 705 945-7641

If you see a bear in the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority Area:
The NBMCA has erected a sign at the trailhead of the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area advising those using the trails that bears have been sighted. It will remain there for 72 hrs. If you see a bear in an NBMCA Conservation Area, please advise NBMCA at 705-474-5420.