Be Bear Wise: Maintain Good Outdoor Safety Practices

Multiple bear sightings have been reported to the Town over the last few weeks. In these instances, officials with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been notified; however, the Town would like to remind local residents that if you see a bear, you should directly contact the appropriate authorities right away based on the severity of the encounter.

If You Encounter A Black Bear

Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 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.

More Information

The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has created an information webpage on preventing and reporting encounters with bears. It includes information on