A bear has been spotted hanging out in Oshawa.
The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has received reports of bear sightings in the Harmony Creek Trail area.
They are monitoring the bear.
MNR says it’s not uncommon to have bear sightings at this time of year in the Durham region.
They say there is a low-density population of black bears in the northern portions of York and Durham Regions.
They add, in the spring and early summer, bears, particularly younger ones, may travel significant distances as they disperse and search for food or new habitat.
They say as bears move through the landscape, they often follow natural travel corridors, such as river valleys, which can lead them into more developed areas (e.g., Uxbridge, Oshawa, Clarington).
MNR has the following tips
If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911. Visit Bear Wise: tips and tools | ontario.ca to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.
To avoid bear problems, residents are encouraged to:
Store garbage securely in an enclosed storage area and only put out garbage on the morning of collection
Clean food residue and remove grease from outdoor barbecue grills after each use
Put away bird feeders until winter
Keep pet food indoors
Pick ripe fruit from trees and off the ground.
Photo courtesy of Facebook
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