South Bruce OPP is advising taking precautions this spring to prevent attracting black bears as they come out of hibernation.
Police say hungry bears will be seeking sources of food which can include garbage or bird feed.
This advisory comes following received information on May 22 of a black bear sighting in Kincardine.
OPP say the potential for human-bear conflict increases when there is little natural food available for bears. If this happens, black bears will search for other food sources, which can draw bears to populated areas.
Police recommend these instructions to minimize the chances of attracting bears,
-Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
-Put out garbage only on the morning of pickup.
-Put away bird feeders. Seed, suet and nectar attract bears.
-Pick fruits and berries as they ripen. Don’t let them rot on the ground.
-Clean outdoor barbecue grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath. Bears will be drawn by smells from great distances, including grease and food residue on grills.
-Keep dogs on leash; sometimes bears will follow off-leash dogs back to you.
Police advise if a bear is posing an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911 or your local police. The police may request support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to respond to emergency situations on a case-by-case basis.
For non-emergencies, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry operates the toll-free 24-7 Bear Reporting Line at 1-866-514-3227 and the Bear Wise website here to provide more information and advice.