Photo supplied.
Unleashed dogs can provoke defensive attacks and lead bears to the dog owner.
Last month there were several reports of Black Bear sightings in the area of Sharpe and Winslow Lines. These sightings are not necessarily cause for alarm, but knowing what to do can prevent a chance encounter from becoming an emergency.
Black Bears live across Ontario in forested areas where they can find enough food, shelter, and denning sites, and are at home in 90% of our provincial parks. Because they hibernate from November to April, these animals make up for lost time by consuming enough food in their wakeful months to keep them going for the whole year.
Bears are smart, curious, powerful and potentially dangerous and do not like surprises. Those planning to spend time outdoors in bear country should know how to avoid bear encounters.
If you are hiking, don’t wear headphones. Travel in groups and make noise as you move along to make animals aware of your presence. When camping, keep your campsite clear of temptation by keeping only your pillow and sleeping bag in your tent and hanging food packs far from tents and cooking areas, at least four metres above the ground and two metres from tree trunks.
If you come across a bear, stop in your tracks and remain calm. The noisier the animal, the less dangerous it is: the noise is a warning signal. Rather than run away in a panic, slowly back away while keeping the animal in sight and wait for it to leave. If the bear is sticking around, throw objects, wave your arms and yell or whistle. If possible, get inside a building or a vehicle. Drop any food in your possession and slowly move away. If the bear is in a tree, leave the area. It will climb down when it’s ready. Don’t run, swim or kneel down. Avoid direct eye contact with the animal and don’t play dead unless you are attacked by a mother bear defending her cubs. These interactions are rare because mother bears with cubs usually avoid interacting with humans. Cubs typically stay with their mothers for a year and a half. If you come across a cub or small bear, it is highly like the mother is nearby, so be careful.
A surprised black bear will give off warning signs to let you know you are too close. For example, a black bear standing on its hind legs is not a sign of aggressive behaviour: it is trying to get a better look at you or catch your scent. Unleashed dogs can make these situations more dangerous. Always keep your dog on a leash when out in bear country. Unleashed dogs can stimulate defensive attacks and when they return to their owners may spark a chase response that leads the bear to the dog owner.
If the bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour including stalking people, lingering or trying to enter a residence, or wandering into a public gathering, call 911 or your local police service.
For non-emergency encounters where bears are roaming around or breaking into buildings where garbage or food is stored, residents should call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 which operates 24 hrs a day from April 1 to November 30th.