A bear sighting in Goderich has police issuing reminders about how to keep yourself safe.
Officers were called to Krohmer (Crow-Mer) Drive in Goderich on Monday night around 9:30 PM to reports of a 150-175 pound bear in a tree.
The usually calm street was abuzz with activity from onlookers who came to see the bear that eventually climbed down the tree before moving to another at the corner of Suncoast Drive and Krohmer Drive.
Eventually the bear took off and was last seen running eastbound along Suncoast Drive.
Bear safety tips can be fbelow
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Reduce the chances of attracting bears by:
· Putting garbage in containers that have tight-fitting lids and storing it in a bear-proof location
· Washing garbage containers and dumpsters frequently using a strong disinfectant to reduce odours
· Putting out garbage on the morning of garbage collection – not the night before
· Keeping pet food indoors
· Removing grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease trap, after each use
· Putting away bird feeders until the winter months
· Turning compost regularly and keeping meat, fish or sweet foods like fruit out of your composter
· Keeping meat and fish scraps in the freezer until garbage collection day
· Picking fruits and berries from the ground and from trees as they ripen.
If you encounter a bear:
· If your personal safety is at risk, call 911 or your local police
· Remain calm – often the bear is just passing through, and will move on if no food source is found
· If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone and remove other people and dogs from the area
· Keep away from the bear, and do not block its exit
· Tell others of its location and warn them to keep away, and bring children and pets indoors
· If near a building or car, get inside as a precaution
· If the bear was attracted to food or garbage, remove these items after the bear leaves to discourage the bear from returning
· Keep dogs on leash and away from bears
· If you have a problem with a bear, call the Bear Wise line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327 for advice on how to avoid human-bear encounters during bear season (April 1 to November 30).
If a bear approaches you:
· Slowly back away, watching the bear
· If the bear tries to approach you, do not turn and run – make noise, throw rocks or sticks and make yourself appear as big as possible
· Carry a noise-making device such as a whistle or air horn, and use it if necessary
· If the bear continues to approach you, keep backing away slowly while acting aggressively towards the bear
· If you are carrying bear repellent, make sure you are familiar with the product and how it is used, using it only if the bear is attacking you or is extremely close to you
· Bear attacks are rare, however, if a bear does attack, do not play dead unless you are sure it is a mother bear attacking you in defence of cubs
· Fighting back is the best chance of discouraging a bear from continuing its attack, so use a large stick, a rock, or anything else that you can to deter the bear.
