(GODERICH, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is warning Goderich residents and those nearby to the south end of Goderich of a black bear sighting. A witness reported seeing the bear around 11:50 a.m. south of Dechert Road. The bear was described as being around 250 pounds. It was seen wandering near a corn field.
In June a black bear was spotted north of Goderich on the Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail (GART).
Given there is a possibility of encountering a bear in Huron County citizens should have some understanding on what to do and who to call. The Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry and OPP offer the following advice.
Who to Contact
Not every bear sighting is an emergency situation. Here is who to call if you encounter a bear.
Emergency Situations – Call 911 if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
enters a school yard when school is in session
stalks people and lingers at the site
enters or tries to enter a residence
wanders into a public gathering
kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site
Non-Emergency Encounters
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 if a bear:
roams around or checks garbage cans
breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored
is in a tree
pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue
moves through a backyard or field but does not linger
This line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.
If you encounter a black bear
When bears are caught off guard, they are stressed, and usually just want to flee.
Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.
Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, provided you do not approach. The noise is meant to scare” you off and acts as a warning signal.
Do
Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave.
If the bear does not leave