As black bears begin to emerge from hibernation across the province, the Ontario government and the OPP are reminding the public to take precautions to prevent attracting these animals to communities.
From mid-March to late April, black bears wake up from their winter sleep, and due to limited natural food sources, they often seek out alternative food, such as garbage and bird feed. To help keep bears in their natural habitat and minimize human-bear encounters, authorities recommend the following measures:
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Never feed or approach bears.
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Store garbage in tightly sealed containers, preferably indoors.
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Only put out garbage on pickup day.
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Remove bird feeders for the season, offering natural alternatives like flowers and fresh water instead.
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Clean outdoor barbecue grills and grease traps after each use.
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Keep pet food indoors and ensure pets are leashed outside.
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Alert neighbours about bear activity and share these precautions.
The province also operates a non-emergency Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327, available 24/7 from March 17 to November 30. For immediate threats, residents should call 911 or local police.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
