THUNDER BAY -- Despite local concerns regarding bear sightings in the Northwood area police say there hasn’t been a spike.
Thunder Bay Police spokesman Chris Adams said in the past month the local police have received 16 calls from across the city.
That call volume is normal for this time of year, Adams added.
“We are in the season right now where we are going to start getting more bear calls,” Adams said.
“There’s been a couple of calls in Northwood in the last couple of weeks, but keep in mind that very often that can be the same bear.”
On Tuesday, social media was buzzing with reports of a nuisance bear in the Northwood neighbourhood.
A Facebook post showed a bear attempting to climb over a fence in a residential neighbourhood in Northwood, which began circulating Tuesday.
Adams recommends residents follow what the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry suggests regarding bear safety as they offer the best advice on how to prevent bears encounters.
The following is what the MNRF suggest people do if they encounter a bear:
If you encounter a bear
Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.
Take these steps:
• quickly assess the situation and try to determine which type of an encounter this might be – sighting, surprise or close encounter
• do not try to get closer to the bear for a better look or picture
• make sure the bear has a clear escape route — don’t corner a bear
• always watch the bear and slowly back away until the bear is out of sight
• get inside, if you are near a building or vehicle
• leave the area, if you are berry-picking, hiking, camping, jogging or cycling
• if you are with others, stay together and act as a group
• if the bear does not get closer to you, slowly back away, talking to the bear in a quiet, monotone voice
Do not:
• scream
• turn your back on the bear
• run
• kneel down
• make direct eye contact
• climb a tree
• retreat into water or try and swim — a bear can do these things much better than you
If it is a close encounter:
• yell
• wave your arms to make yourself look bigger
• throw objects
• blow a whistle or an air horn
• make noise to try and persuade the bear to leave
• prepare to use bear pepper spray
If the bear keeps advancing toward you:
• stand your ground
• use your bear pepper spray (if the bear is within seven metres) or anything else you can find or use to threaten or distract the bear
• fight back as if your life depends on it
After the bear leaves:
• tell others about bear activity in the area
• if the bear was eating from a non-natural food source (like garbage or bird food), remove or secure the item that attracted the bear
