Could there be a potential problem bruin in downtown Bracebridge?
Today there have been multiple reports of a bear, or bears in the area. The first report was around noon in the area of Wellington Street and North Street, and the second was in the late afternoon on McMurray Street.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry reminds residents that nor every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Here is who to call if you encounter a bear.
Emergency situations
Call 911 or your local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
- enters a school yard when school is in session
- stalks people and lingers at the site
- enters or tries to enter a residence
- wanders into a public gathering
- kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site
Police will respond first to an emergency situation, but may request assistance from the ministry during daylight hours.
Non-emergency encounters
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 if a bear:
- roams around or checks garbage cans
- breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored
- is in a tree
- pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue
- moves through a backyard or field but does not linger
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.
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Hugh Donald says
Sounds like a garbage storage issue