Bears Sighted In The Chapleau/Wawa Areas

 

Ontario is asking area residents to be aware of bear sightings in the municipalities of Chapleau and Wawa to take the necessary steps to avoid attracting bears into local neighbourhoods.  

 

In the past few weeks, people in the Chapleau and Wawa areas have reported numerous interactions with black bears. Of these reported incidents, some involved items such as household garbage, poultry food and crab apple trees.

 

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is reminding the public that fall is the time of year when bears need to put on weight to prepare for the winter months and hibernation. Bears will take advantage of easy food sources such as garbage, bird food including suet, seed and nectar, odours from barbecues and ripe fruit left on trees or on the ground. Removing these attractants can help keep bears out of the area.

 

Currently, natural foods for bears in the Chapleau and Wawa areas are very low. When the availability of natural foods is limited, bears will look for alternative food sources, often in communities. When bears cannot gain access to non-natural foods such as garbage, they will not stay in the area. 

 

QUICK FACTS

• If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911 or your local police at 705-864-1715 for Chapleau and 705-856-2233 for Wawa. 
• For advice on removing bear attractants, call the 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 to November 30).

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• What to do in emergency and non-emergency situations: https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise .
• Read more about bears at ontario.ca/bearwise.