The ‘Bear’ Facts

UPDATE: The bear has been spotted near Nantyr Shores Secondary School. Authorities are keeping tabs on the beast’s movements.

BEAR UPDATE #2: #Bear spotted within last 30 mins.heading into wooded area near Nantyr Shores SS #Innisfil. We have notified schools in area and MNR. MNR not attending. We will continue to monitor. pic.twitter.com/4HaMROs9EA

— South Simcoe Police (@SouthSimcoePS) May 22, 2018

BEAR UPDATE #3: Officers are in the area of the last #bear sighting on Anna Maria Ave. We will be on scene when students are released from school. Please be aware. #animal #BeCareful @SCDSB_Schools

— South Simcoe Police (@SouthSimcoePS) May 22, 2018

May 22nd – There’s been a third bear sighting in Innisfil in recent days. This one along Big Bay Point Road, posted by Jacqueline Arthur on Facebook…

South Simcoe Police say there were two sighting reported to them over the holiday weekend. One was Sunday night on a golf course on 10th Sideroad just south of Barrie, the first was Saturday night on County Road 27 near Cookstown.

Innisfil’s Deputy Mayor Lynn Dollin saw another…

Near the Trans Canada Trail and 5 sideroad of Essa. pic.twitter.com/mCTaMaMuhm

— Lynn Dollin (@LynnDollin) May 21, 2018

No cause for panic, say police, just an alert to be aware and to not approach a bear if you see one but to call police.

While not unusual this time, a bear sighting is always worthy of mention –  and a reminder of some do’s and dont’s.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has 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.

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 (1-866-514-2327) and the Bear Wise website to provide the public with information

For further information visit http://www.natureindeed.com/PDFs/Nuisance_Bears_MNR.pdf