Injured black bear dispatched in Wawa

OPP NEWS RELEASE

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Wawa OPP issue warning regarding an injured bear in the Wawa area - Update

WAWA - On July 6, 2012 the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Superior East Wawa Detachment issued a warning regarding a large black bear (not exactly as shown) with injuries that had been observed in the community. 

To update, this animal was dispatched by OPP officers shortly before 11 p.m. last night after he had demonstrated that he had become a threat to public safety. 

The left front paw did have an old injury that made its leg unusable.

The OPP continues to advise the public to be cautious when out in the evening and night time hours. 

There are still other bears that have been observed in the area. 

Garbage should be secured inside a structured building at all times and not placed at curb side until the morning of scheduled pick up. 

Each time a complaint has been received the bears are eating from garbage cans put out the night before or improperly stored.

The OPP will respond to emergency calls about wild animals if there is an immediate threat to the public. 

The only option available to the police is to destroy the threat.

The simple fact that they are wandering around town is not a police matter and if left alone they will go about their business and leave. 

Wild animals frequenting built up areas is usually a learned habit resulting from people leaving food sources (garbage) accessible to them. 

To avoid these animals from becoming nuisances and threats requires the public to eliminate the food sources in town. 

Failure to do this will ultimately train them to continue in this habit which will generally result in their death or serious consequences to humans and their property.

The Bear-Wise Reporting toll free number continues to operate for reporting sightings and information on bear proofing purposes. 

Call 1-866-514-2327.

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