The province confirms we are seeing more bears in the region this summer.
Senior spokesperson with the Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry Jolanta Kowalski explains the province’s Bear Wise hot line has been busy compared to last year.
“In the northwest between April and mid-August of last year, there were 360 bear calls, compared to 950 calls in the same period this year,” she explains, but points out that a single bear can result in multiple reports.
Over the months of June, July, and August last year, there were 100 bear calls in the Thunder Bay District, while this year the same period had 230 calls.
Kowalski says a drought and a late Spring frost have depleted much of bears’ natural food sources in the bush, and the hot, dry weather and the active forest fire season are driving bears further into communities to search for food.
Kowalski says if a bear is posing an immediate threat, call 911 or your local emergency services. Otherwise, call the Bear Wise hot line at 1-866-514-2327 (705-945-7641 for TTY) to report a sighting or get tips on how to make your property less inviting to bears.
