Bear Encounters - Who do you call?

Dufferin County, ON (OPP - Dufferin Detachment) The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is working collaboratively with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and 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.

Emergency Situations

Call 9-1-1 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, during daylight hours the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry 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 1st until Nov. 30th. Trained staff can provide advice about black bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear conflicts, and how to remove attractants from property.

Reducing the Chances of an Encounter

Even if they're not causing a threat to public safety, black bears should be discouraged from staying in populated areas.

People can take steps on their property and in their neighbourhood to avoid attracting black bears into populated areas. Visit ontario.ca/bearwise for tips and to learn about bears.