The OPP recently received a call from a concerned resident as a bear had come onto their property. The homeowner advised that the bear came onto their porch but then left without incident. What should you do in a situation like this?
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 schoolyard 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.
But…for 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.
For more information on how to be Bear Wise and prevent bear encounters visit https://www.ontario.ca/…/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise
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