Bear Watch: New online group tracks local bear sightings

EDITOR'S NOTE: A version of this article originally appeared on SooToday on June 21, 2023. It is being republished here for readers who may have missed it.

A local paramedic is hoping to be a bearer of public safety with her new Facebook group that primarily tracks black bear sightings in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area.

Called “SSM Bear Watch,” the social media page has developed a large following in recent weeks as locals have the ability to upload live photos, videos, and statuses of bear sightings and stay up to date on where the furry creatures are roaming in the area.

The group’s founder, Amanda Artuso, says she created the page to help keep residents safe, and she sensed there was a huge demand for this kind of platform following hibernation season earlier this spring.

“People should be aware if they are in their neighbourhood, especially concerning their dogs or their children so they can take proper precaution,” she says.

“When I started seeing sightings this year, I saw it was taking over the ‘Keeping the Soo Safe’ group and other social media outlets. I thought if we could filter the sightings to a group who were specifically interested in that, it would be an easier place to find them.”

Artuso told SooToday she’s a huge animal lover and that she enjoys looking after a plethora of animals herself, including dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, pigs, and goats.

A paramedic by day, Artuso has long advocated for the protection of area bears and she wants to make sure that the nearly 900 members in her group are receiving educational value from her posts, including safety tips and other awareness spreaders.

Those tips include what to do if you encounter a bear, and how to prevent the creatures from entering your property.

“As long as you give them their space, they’re not really interested in us and they’ll tend to back off,” she says. “People need to realize we’re further encroaching on their space and we have to be respectful of that as well. They have to live somewhere.”

“A lot of people don’t realize they’re necessarily attracting them with bird feeders or keeping their garbage available to them. If you do your diligence, then it’s much less likely they’ll feel invited into your yard.”

In an email to SooToday, Tessa Vecchio, the city’s corporate communications officer, says bear safety messages generally fall to the Sault Police Service or the ministry.

According to Sault Police, residents are urged to call 911 if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety. If locals notice a nuisance bear — one that is checking garbage cans, sheds and/or bird feeder — they are asked to notify the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry by calling their toll free number 1-866-514-2327.

Living in the west end, Artuso has seen the odd bear from time to time and noted she has had several close encounters in her lifetime. But in recent weeks, she’s noticed the majority of reported sightings have been on the other side of town.

“I’m seeing a lot more towards the east end,” she says. “East of Queen Street and Manitou – in and around that zone. Not to say there aren’t plenty in the west end, but that seems to be where they’re being encountered a little more frequently at this time.”

“The bears are looking good and they’re starting to look really healthy which is nice to see.”

While it may sometimes feel like there are more bears within city limits than in years past, Artuso notes that’s just social media users going to work.

“I don’t personally think I’ve seen an upward trend of them being around,” she says. “With social media, it’s just making it more prevalent. Everyone is carrying a camera on them now which is highlighting it a bit more. I don’t think the population has increased significantly or anything like that – if anything it’s probably decreased.”

“But the berries and other food resources are coming out, and they have their cubs right now, so they’re on the move. If we do our part and be aware, then I think we could live together cohesively."