This time of year, we see more bears come into urban areas in search of food. Not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Here is who to call if you encounter a bear.

Non-Emergency Encounters

Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641) if a black bear is:

Roaming around, checking garbage cans
Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
In a tree
Pulling down a bird feeder or knocking over a barbecue
Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering.
This line operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30. Staff can provide advice about bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear interactions and how to remove attractants from your property.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 or your local police force if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:

Entering a school yard when school is in session
Stalking people and lingering on-site
Entering or trying to enter a residence
Wandering into a public gathering
Killing livestock/pets and lingering on site.
Police are the first responder for any emergency situation. If requested by police, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will respond to emergency situations to assist during daylight hours.

www.ontario.ca/natural-resources-news

source: media release, Bruce Peninsula OPP