Seen on Woodward Avenue Monday evening

A concerned SooToday reader submitted the accompanying photos of a young bear spotted on Woodward Avenue early Monday evening.

The bear was munching on garbage that had been placed at the curbside for Tuesday morning collection, the reader said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry offers the following tips to avoid attracting unwanted black bears to your property:

Bears usually avoid humans, but they are attracted into urban and rural areas in order to get food.

If bears learn that they can find food where people live, they will return again and again and even try to enter buildings. Relocation and destruction are poor ways of trying to prevent conflicts with bears.

Garbage:

• put garbage out only on the morning of garbage day, not the night before
• put garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids and store it in a bear-proof location such as your basement or a sturdy garage
• spray garbage cans and lids with bleach or another strong disinfectant
• take garbage to the dump often, if you do not have curbside pick-up

Bird feeders:

• fill bird feeders only through the winter months
• put away feeders in the spring and instead, offer birds natural alternatives (e.g. flowers, nesting boxes, fresh water)

Barbecue:

• burn off food residue and wash the grill right away
• empty the grease trap every time you barbecue
• remove all utensils, dishes and food after eating

Fruits and berries:

• pick all ripe and fallen fruit from trees and shrubs on your property
• plant non-fruit bearing trees and shrubs

Pet food:

• do not leave pet food outdoors, in screened-in areas or porches