Since the May 1st, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service have received eleven complaints of bears in yards.
The majority of the calls have been in the more rural or wooded areas of town. In the early morning hours of May 13, police responded to a call of a bear in the “P-patch” area.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind residents to take the necessary steps required to reduce problem bears.
The bears are looking for a food source. By following these simple steps you can reduce the chance of attracting bears:
- store garbage in steel or airtight container, inside a storage area that is not accessible to bears
- put garbage out the morning of garbage day, not the night before.
- do not leave pet food outdoors
- thoroughly clean outdoor bbq grills after use
- fill bird feeders only in the winter months
- do not put meat, fish or sweet food (including fruit) in your composter
- remove any fruits and nuts from tree and shrubs and pick up any that are on the ground
- keep meat scraps and fish parts in the freezer until garbage pickup day
If you see a bear and there is no immediate danger call the Ministry of Natural Resources Problem Bear Reporting Line at 1-888-514-2327.
Often the bear is just passing through, and if it does not find a food source, it will simply move on.
If the bear appears to be threatening, persistent or aggressive, call the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service immediately at 911.
