The annual influx of bears has taken place, prompting a safety reminder from the OPP
Keep pic-a-nic baskets under guard, with bears returning to urban areas alongside this spring’s spike in temperatures.
The city’s Report-a-Bear interactive map already looks like a chicken-pox-afflicted child, with a sprinkling of bear sightings reported throughout the vast municipality.
Bear sightings can be reported the following ways:
Fill out the online form, available by clicking here.
Call 705-674-4455 extension 2327 (BEAR) and leave a message.
Send an email with your bear sighting information to [email protected]. Include location, date, how many bears and any other relevant information.
Meanwhile, the OPP has issued a number of safety tips:
Keep all doors and ground‑level windows closed and locked, especially during evening and overnight hours.
Store garbage securely and avoid placing bins outside if they contain food scraps.
Place garbage out only on collection day, not the night before.
Remove bird feeders during bear season, as seeds and suet attract wildlife.
Do not leave pet food outdoors.
Clean barbecues after each use to remove grease and food residue.
Pick ripe fruit from trees and remove fallen fruit from the ground.
Keep compost in a secure, bear‑resistant container.
Maintain a tidy yard free of food waste or strong food scents.
Bears should never be approached, and immediate threats to public safety should be called into 911. Non-emergency bear concerns can be called into the Bear Wise reporting line at 1‑866‑514‑2327, which operates from April 1 to Nov. 30 and is available 24/7.