On Tuesday December 4, 2018 at approximately 7:30 pm members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police responded to a report of a black bear cub sighting on Old Hastings Road in the village of Warkworth. Police attended the area but the bear was not located.
Bears come into urban areas in search of food, but not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. The Northumberland OPP would like to remind the public that bears are a wild animal and should be treated with caution, and respect. Female bears with cubs may become aggressive if they feel their cubs are being threatened.
Most human-bear encounters occur when bears are attracted by smells, so removing potential attractants will help avoid unwarranted visitors. Residents are reminded to practice these safety tips to prevent bears from wandering onto their property:
· Put garbage out to the curb-side only on the morning of collection
· Put away bird feeders
· Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids
· Clean outdoor grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath.
If You Encounter a Bear:
· Remain calm and avoid sudden movements.
· Give the bear plenty of room, allowing it to continue its activities undisturbed. If it changes its behavior, you’re too close so back away.
· If you see a bear but the bear does not see you, detour quickly and quietly.
· If a bear does spot you, it is best to let it know you are human, so talk in a normal voice and waive your arms while it is still further away.
· Never feed or throw food to a bear.
· If a bear pursues you, throw something on the ground, it may be distracted by this and allow you time to escape.
· If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as a precaution.
· Remember that a standing bear is not always a sign of aggression. Many times bears will stand to get a better view.
Generally, bears want to avoid humans. Most encounters are not aggressive and attacks are rare.
If you encounter a bear and your personal safety is threatened, you are urged to call the OPP immediately by dialling 911.
For non-emergency encounters, call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641) for advice on dealing with bears in the community.
Visit http://ontario.ca/bearwise for more information.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
