(SOUTH BRUCE COUNTY, ON.) – The South Bruce OPP has continued to receive reports of bear sightings in the Municipality of Kincardine. Police were called on October 4th, 2011 to report a black bear on Ackert Lane, Kincardine Township; October 2nd, 2011 to report a bear on Queen Street, Kincardine and October 1st, 2011 to report a black bear on Victoria Street North, Inverhuron. With this in mind, the South Bruce OPP is sending another reminder of the following information from the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Bear Wise program.
Black bears are intelligent, adaptable predators with a biological instinct to eat whatever they find, wherever they find it. They are an anti social animal and the main population control is the availability of food. Black bears are agile, good swimmers and fast runners with a keen sense of smell. It’s preferable to keep Black bears away from populated areas.
In 2007, the leading attractors for bears were residential garbage, bird feeders and fruit trees. To keep bears away, remove the attractant (potential food):
Keep your property clean, free of attractants
Be extra careful storing and disposing of garbage
Feed birds only during winter
Clean barbecue grill before and after use
To report a bear sighting, contact the Bear Reporting Hotline at 1 866 514 2327. In an immediate emergency call your local police or dial 911.
For more information about the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise program, you can view the website at: http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/Bearwise.