THUNDER BAY — Between Friday and Monday morning, the Thunder Bay Police Service recorded nine calls from residents reporting bears in their neighbourhoods.
Numerous sightings were also disclosed over the weekend on social media.
On Machar Avenue, a cub was safely removed Sunday from its perch in a tree, about 35 feet in the air.
In Dryden, local resident Michelle Silver posted video of a large bruin on the deck just outside her window.
Increasing reports of nuisance bears entering residential areas may be due in part to a poor blueberry crop in parts of Northwestern Ontario this summer.
Black bears need to consume about 20,000 calories a day to prepare for hibernation.
They can eat up to 30,000 berries a day when the fruit is available.
Bears may be attracted to a neighbourhood by strong food aromas, the scent of garbage, ripe fruits, or pet food left outside.
A Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry spokesperson told Tbnewswatch that many of the calls the ministry received in recent days involved bears entering yards to eat fallen apples.
The MNRF says homeowners can reduce the risk of encountering a bear on their property by following these tips:
Garbage:
- put garbage out only on the morning of garbage day, not the night before
- put meat scraps in the freezer until garbage day
- put garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids and store it in a bear-proof location such as your basement or a sturdy garage
- frequently wash garbage cans and recycle containers and lids with a strong-smelling disinfectant, such as bleach
Bird feeders:
- fill bird feeders only through the winter months
- put away feeders in the spring and instead, offer birds natural alternatives (for example, flowers, nesting boxes and fresh water)
Barbecue:
- burn off food residue and wash the grill right away
- empty the grease trap every time you barbecue
- remove all utensils, dishes and food after eating
- be aware that cooking odours can attract bears
Fruits and berries:
- pick all ripe and fallen fruit from trees and shrubs on your property
- plant non-fruit bearing trees and shrubs
Pet food:
- do not leave pet food outdoors, in screened-in areas or porches
In July, a 67-year-old Red Lake man died after going blueberry picking off Highway 105.
Ontario Provincial Police shot a bear which was found near Peter Franczak's body.
A post-mortem determined that his wounds were consistent with those from a bear attack.
In September 2019, a 62-year-old woman was fatally mauled by a bear on an island on Rainy Lake, east of Fort Frances.
The MNRF says when a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening behaviour, people should call 911 or their local police.
Non-emergency encounters may be reported through the Bear Wise line at 1-866-514-2327.
