Be Bear Wise and Prevent Bear Encounters...
The GLPOA Bear newsletter is posted below; for more detailed information about cottaging with bears please visit www.ontario.ca/bearwise.
Public should exercise caution as bears come out of hibernation
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) remind you to exercise caution as bears begin to come out of hibernation this spring.
Black bears waking up from hibernation are faced with a scarcity of natural food sources, leading them to look for food in garbage cans and bird feeders.
You can prevent bears from visiting your home and neighbourhood by:
If a bear is posing an immediate threat by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, remain calm and call 911 or your local police department.
Quick Facts
Who Do I Call If I Encounter A Bear?
Sometimes bears come into urban areas in search of food. Not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Learn 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:
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:
April 8, 2020 5:00 P.M.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Public should exercise caution as bears come out of hibernation
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) remind you to exercise caution as bears begin to come out of hibernation this spring.
Black bears waking up from hibernation are faced with a scarcity of natural food sources, leading them to look for food in garbage cans and bird feeders.
You can prevent bears from visiting your home and neighbourhood by:
- Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids
- Putting out garbage only on the morning of pickup
- Putting away bird feeders for the spring (you can offer birds natural alternatives, such as flowers, nesting boxes and fresh water)
- Cleaning food residue and grease from outdoor barbecue grills after each use
- Keeping pet food indoors
If a bear is posing an immediate threat by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, remain calm and call 911 or your local police department.
Quick Facts
- Visit Bear Wise at Ontario.ca to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.
- Bears will remember their last source of food and return there when hungry, sometimes travelling over 100 kilometres.
Who Do I Call If I Encounter A Bear?
Sometimes bears come into urban areas in search of food. Not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Learn 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
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
April 8, 2020 5:00 P.M.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry