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NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY
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Black bears live in most parts of Ontario. Knowing what to do if you encounter a bear is being bear wise.
Avoid encounters:
• Make noise when you move through heavily wooded areas, especially if you are near a stream or waterfall where bears may not hear you.
• Singing, whistling or talking will alert bears to your presence, giving them a chance to avoid you.
• Keep your eyes and ears open and watch for signs of a bear, such as tracks, claw marks on trees or droppings.
• DO NOT wear headphones.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are doing activities outside (e.g. hiking, jogging, cycling, gardening, berry picking or camping) where bears may not realize you are there.
• If you are out with a dog, keep it on a leash. Uncontrolled and/or untrained dogs may actually lead a bear to you.
Think about safety:
• Carry a whistle or air horn.
• Carry and understand how to use bear spray.
• If you are in “back country” consider carrying a long-handled axe.
If you do spot a bear:
• Remain calm and do not run, climb a tree or swim.
• Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight, but do not make direct eye contact.
• Watch the bear and wait for it to leave. If it does not leave, wave your arms and make noise.
• If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as a precaution.
What to do if an encounter results in an attack:
• Use bear spray.
• Fight back with everything you have.
• Do not play dead unless you are sure a mother bear is attacking in defence of her cubs.
A bear may:
• Stand on its hind legs to get a better look at you.
• Salivate, exhale loudly, make huffing, moaning, clacking and popping sounds with its mouth, teeth and jaws.
• Lower its head with its ears drawn back while facing you.
• Charge forward, and/or swat the ground with its paws. This is also known as a bluff charge.
The noisier a bear is, the less dangerous it is provided you don't approach it. These are all warning signals a bear gives to let you know you are too close.
Bear attacks are rare. However, a bear may attack if:
• The bear wants more space.
• It perceives you to be a threat, especially to its cubs or food.
• It is a predatory bear. A predatory bear approaches silently and may continue to approach regardless of your attempts to deter it by yelling, use of bear spray or throwing objects.
Visit the website for more information.
Always call 911 in an emergency.
Call 1-866-514-2327 or TTY 705-945-7641 to report a sighting.
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