Police are reminding everyone to take simple steps to prevent attracting bears who are coming out of hibernation.
Hungry bears will seek any source of food after their slumber including bird feed and garbage.
Bears remember their last source of food and return there when hungry, sometimes travelling over 100 kilometers.
If a bear is posing a threat to public safety call 911, but for non-emergencies contact the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Follow these instructions to minimize the chances of attracting bears:
Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
Put out garbage only on the morning of pickup.
Put away bird feeders. Seed, suet and nectar attract bears.
Pick fruits and berries as they ripen. Don’t let them rot on the ground.
Clean outdoor barbecue grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath. Bears will be drawn by smells from great distances, including grease and food residue on grills.
Keep dogs on leash; sometimes bears will follow off-leash dogs back to you.
