Bear Encounters…Who Do I Call? The Municipality has received the following information from the Ontario Provincial Police: The Ontario Provincial Police and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry are working together to protect public safety and to educate the public about black bear behaviour. Black bears that come into a populated area aren’t always a threat to public safety. The following explains who to contact about encounters with black bears. Emergency Situations Call 9-1-1 if a black bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threating or aggressive behaviour such as: Entering a school yard when school is in session Stalking people and is lingering at the site Entering or trying to enter a residence Wandering into a public gathering Killing pets and is lingering at the site The OPP is the first responder for an emergency situation and at the request of the OPP, during daylight hours, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry will respond to emergency situations to assist. Non-Emergency Encounters Call the toll free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 05-945-7641) if a black bear is: Roaming around, checking garbage cans Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored In a tree Pulling down a bird feeder or knocking over barbecue Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering The toll free line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 until November 30. Trained staff can provide advice about black bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear conflicts and how to remove attractants from property. “People can take steps on their property and in their neighbourhood to avoid attracting black bears, shares S/Sgt Richard Riopelle. Since April 2015 the East Algoma OPP has responded to 100 bear calls. During the month of July, 34 calls and to date in August, 29 calls.” Visit ontario.ca/bearwise for tips and to learn about bears.