The province confirms we are seeing more bears this summer.
Senior spokesperson with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Jolanta Kowalski explains the province’s Bear Wise hotline has been busy compared to last year.
“In the northwest between April and mid-August of last year, there were 360 bear calls, compared to 950 calls in the same period this year,” she explains.
Kowalski says a single bear can result in multiple reports.
Kowalski says this summer’s drought and a late spring frost depleted much of bear’s natural food sources in the bush. The hot, dry weather and the active forest fire season are driving bears further into communities to search for food.
Kowalski says if a bear is posing an immediate threat, call 911 or your local emergency services. Otherwise, call the Bear Wise hotline at 1-866-514-2327 (705-945-7641 for TTY) to report a sighting or get tips on how to make your property less inviting to bears.
