28 bear sightings

CITY POLICE NEWS RELEASE

********************* So far this year City Police have received 28 calls involving bears.

Ten of those calls have been in the last week.

These calls involve persons with close contact to bears or seeing bears in the distance.

City Police would like to share two phone numbers with the public so that they can contact the proper authorities in the event of a bear sighting:

1) The Sault Ste. Marie City Police - 949-6300 if a bear is an immediate threat such as in your back yard. If the bear is very aggressive and threatening then 9-1-1 is also an option. City Police Officers will attended and will assess the situation to ensure the public safety.

2) The MNR Bear Hotline – 1-866-514-2327 if the bear is not currently present but there have been signs of a bear in your area. This will allow the MNR staff to track bear movements and determine the best course of action.

The Public can take steps to help reduce the calls pertaining to nuisance bears.

The majority of bear problems occur as a result of improperly stored household garbage.

Bears quickly learn to associate a human residence with a readily available food source.

Simple steps such as those listed below can discourage bears:

- don't put your garbage out the night before

- don't leave pet food dishes outside

- thoroughly clean outdoor bbq grills after use

- don't put meat, fish or sweet food including fruit into your composter.

Above all, if you encounter a bear give the bear its space and call the proper authorities.

For more information on ways in which you can reduce the attractions for bears, or how to deal with bears, visit the Ministry of Natural Resources website at www.mnr.gov.on.ca and click on the "Bear Wise" box.

Information pamphlets are also available at the front desk of the City Police.

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