(WAWA, ON) – Public safety is important to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and the Municipality of Wawa. Bears that come into a populated area aren’t always a threat to public safety. Public safety is at risk when a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour. Who do I call?
Emergency Situations
Call 911 if a black bear exhibits 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 public gathering
- Killing livestock/ pets and lingering on site.
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.
- The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 until November 30.
- Human- bear interactions are related to the availability of bears’ natural food sources.
- When natural food sources are unavailable, black bears will search for other food. Items such as garbage and bird feed can draw bears to populated areas. Take care by:
- Storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids
- Putting out garbage only on the morning of pickup
- Filling bird feeders, including seed, suet and nectar only during the winter when bears are hibernating
- Cleaning food residue and removing grease from outdoor barbecue grills after each use
Keeping pet food indoors.
For more information regarding Municipal by-laws relating to this subject you can access their website at wawa.ca under by-laws.
