It’s possible people could be seeing more bears rummaging through garbage heading into the cooler months.
For Michael Mahon, constable with the Ontario Provincial Police, it is common to have several calls for bears nearby to people in the spring and fall, just before and after their long sleeps.
On Sept. 10, Mahon was in Petawawa, Ont., and found a black bear looking for food in a green bin. He told CityNews in an email a day later that he had another call for a bear situation.
“People should be calling 911 if there is an immediate threat to anyone,” he said. “If the bear appears not to be scared away or is advancing on people, then call 911.”
The officer is also asking people to clean up any garbage once the bear is long gone from the area.
Bears are “smart, curious, powerful and potentially dangerous” animals, a fact sheet from the provincial government reads.
“They do not like surprises…A surprised black bear will give off warning signs to let you know you are too close. For example, a black bear standing on its hind legs is not a sign of aggressive behaviour. The bear is trying to get a better look at you or catch your scent,” it explained.
If someone encounters a bear, they should slowly back away while keeping the animal in their sight. If a person has food, they should drop it and continue to move away slowly. If the situation escalates, people should use bear spray.
“If you come across a bear remember they are wild animals, DO NOT APPROACH them,” Mahon said. “As cute as you may think they are, DO NOT TRY TO PET THEM!”