From provincial government
The Ontario government and Provincial Police are out with some tips as bears come out of hibernation.
You can prevent bears from visiting your home and neighbourhood by storing garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids or indoors if possible.
It’s best you wait until pickup day to put out garbage and storing bird feeders for the spring.
Make sure you clear food residue and grease from outdoor barbeque grills, including grease traps, after each use.
You should also keep pet food inside.
The Ontario Bear Wise hotline is now operational.
Non-Emergency Encounters
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641) if a bear is:
-Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering
-Roaming around the neighbourhood
-Checking garbage cans
-Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
-Knocking over a barbecue
-Pulling down a bird feeder
-In a tree
Emergency Situations
Call 911 or your local police force if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety. Some threatening or aggressive behaviours include:
-Entering a schoolyard when school is in session
-Stalking people and lingering on-site
-Entering or trying to enter a residence
-Wandering into a public gathering
-Killing livestock/pets and lingering on site.
