The Ontario government and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are reminding the people of Ontario to take simple precautions this spring to help prevent attracting black bears as they come out of hibernation.
The potential for human-bear conflicts increases when there is little natural food available for bears. If this happens, black bears will search for other food sources, such as garbage and bird feed, which can draw bears to populated areas.
Follow these simple instructions to minimize the chances of attracting bears:
Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
Put out garbage only on the morning of pick-up.
Put away bird feeders. Seed, suet and nectar also attract bears.
Pick fruits and berries as they ripen; don't let them rot on the ground.
Clean outdoor barbecue grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath. Bears will be drawn by smells from great distances, including grease and food residue on grills.
Bears that enter a populated area aren't necessarily a threat to public safety. Public safety is at risk when a bear poses an immediate threat to your personal safety.
The Ministry of Natural Resources is working collaboratively with the Ontario Provincial Police and local police services to protect public safety and educate communities across Ontario about black bear behaviour.
Black bears that come into a populated area aren't always a threat to public safety. This fact sheet explains who to contact about encounters with black bears.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 if a black bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
Entering a school yard when school is in session
Stalking people and is lingering at the site
Entering or trying to enter a residence
Wandering into a public gathering
Killing livestock/pets and is lingering at the site
Police are the first responder for any emergency situation. At the request of police, MNR will respond to emergency situations to assist.
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
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 until Nov. 30. Trained staff can provide advice about black bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear conflicts, and how to remove attractants from property.
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