Spring has sprung. We’re all looking forward to warmer temperatures and seeing everything green again – and so are bears who are emerging from hibernation
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and the OPP are reminding the public to be cautious and take steps to prevent attracting black bears. In Ontario, black bears wake up from hibernation between mid-March and late April. During this time of year, there is little natural food for bears, causing them to search for other food sources, including garbage and bird feed. Bears have excellent memories and will return to where they have found food in the past, sometimes travelling over 100 kilometres.
To keep our communities safe and bears in their natural habitat, follow these simple and effective precautions:
- Never feed or approach bears
- Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids, preferably indoors
- Wait until pickup day to put out garbage for collection
- Remove bird feeders for the spring and summer (instead you can offer birds natural alternatives such as flowers, nesting boxes or fresh water)
- Clean food residue from outdoor barbecue grills and grease traps after each use
- Keep dogs on leash and store pet food indoors
- Alert your neighbours about bear activity
Bears may wander into public or urban areas in search of food, but not every bear sighting is an emergency. Non-Emergency bear encounters include:
- Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering
- Roaming around the neighbourhood
- Checking garbage cans
- Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
- Knocking over a barbecue
- Pulling down a bird feeder
- In a tree
If a bear is posing an immediate danger by showing threatening or aggressive behaviour, remain calm and call 911 or your local police department. This includes:
- Entering a schoolyard when school is in session
- Stalking people and lingering on-site
- Entering or trying to enter a residence
- Wandering into a public gathering
- Harming livestock or pets and lingering on-site
Police are first responders for any emergency. If requested by police, the Ministry of Natural Resources may help respond to emergencies during daylight hours. The province operates a non-emergency, toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. The line operates from March 17 to November 30 and is available 24/7.
Visit Bearwise to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.
