Be Bear Wise This Spring

The warmer weather has arrived, and so have the bears. The City of Greater Sudbury’s Report-a-Bear initiative has begun receiving more reports of bear activity this April after a quiet winter, indicating that local bear activity is increasing.

The potential for human-bear interactions increases in the spring when there are fewer natural food sources available and garbage and bird feed can draw bears into populated areas.

To prevent a bear from visiting your property:

• Put away winter bird feeders, seed and suet.
• Clean outdoor barbeque grills after each use, including the grease trap.
• Do not leave pet food outdoors or in screened-in areas or porches.
• Keep dogs leashed when walking through communities or in bear country to reduce the potential for an unwanted interaction with a bear.  
• Ensure garbage is stored in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
• Wash your garbage, recycling and organic containers and lids often with a strong-smelling disinfectant to reduce odours that appeal to wildlife.
• Put out garbage, recycling and green carts by 7 a.m. on the morning of your waste pickup day, not the night before.
• Download and set reminders on the Waste Wise app to remind you when to put out your waste. Blue Box recyclables and Green Cart organics are collected on a weekly basis.

If you encounter a bear:

• Do not approach. Drop any food you are carrying and walk calmly towards the nearest building and go inside.
• Continue to observe the bear until it leaves.
• Once the bear leaves, remove any attractants from your property to prevent future encounters.
• Report the sighting to Report-a-Bear: 705-674-4455, extension 2327 (BEAR) or bear@greatersudbury.ca.

You can also report the bear to the Ministry of Natural Resources’ BearWise reporting line: 1-866-514-2327.

Most bear sightings are not an emergency situation, but if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal or public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911.

For an interactive map of bear sightings in Greater Sudbury and additional resources, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/bears