Beware of bears on the hunt for food

News Release
MNR

The Ministry of Natural Resources is asking area residents to be aware of bears in the Fort Frances area and to take the necessary steps to avoid attracting bears into local neighbourhoods.
In the past several weeks, people in the Fort Frances area have reported approximately 29 conflicts with black bears. Of these reported incidents, most involved items like garbage and bird feeders which attract bears.
The Ministry of Natural Resources reminds the public that the majority of human-bear conflicts are preventable by eliminating items that are known to attract bears. Garbage, bird food (including suet, seed and nectar), odours from barbecues and ripe fruit left on trees and on the ground are among items that can attract bears to your property and into local neighbourhoods.
“Bears quickly learn to associate humans with any type of food and will return to that area unless that attractant is cleaned up. To reduce the chances of attracting bears into your community and to keep bears wild, we are asking people to bear-proof garbage and put garbage out the morning of pick-up only, remove bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders, remove grease and food residue from barbecue grills after each use and pick ripe fruit from trees and the ground," said Kathryn Lyzun, Regional Communication and Marketing Specialist, Northwest Region MNR.
Right now, natural foods for bears in this area are becoming unavailable. When natural foods are in low supply, bears will seek out alternative food sources, often in communities. When bears do not gain access to non-natural foods like garbage, they will not stay in the area.

QUICK FACTS:
•If you have a problem with a bear, call the Ministry of Natural Resources Bear Wise reporting line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327, Hearing Impaired (TTY) 1-705-945-7641. You will be connected with a live operator during bear season (April 1-November 30).
•In the event of a life-threatening emergency, contact your local police (807-274-7777) or 911.
•Read more about Dealing with Bears in the Community.
•Read more about bears at ontario.ca/bearwise.