Now that springtime has arrived, the province is reminding the public to be cautious of bears. There are black bears in most parts of the province, and they are frequently seen in the forests of northern Saskatchewan.
Multiple sightings have already been reported in the town of La Ronge and surrounding communities.
Bears are now out of their dens and looking for food, black bears are intelligent and driven by their search for food and the need to put on fat. However, bears will leave an area if they cannot find food.
Keeping yards and campsites clean and free of attractants can reduce the possibility of human-bear conflict.
The province says that some ways you can keep your yards and campsites bear-proof include the following.
- Storing garbage in a secure building or buying a bear-resistant container. Only put the bin out on the morning of collection. Wash all recycling items and regularly clean garbage or recycling bins.
- Ensuring pet food is stored where it is not accessible to wildlife. Only use bird feeders in the winter while bears hibernate.
- Not adding fish, meat, fat, oils, unrinsed eggshells or any cooked food to backyard compost.
- Properly cleaning and storing barbecue grills after each use.
- Not cooking, eating or storing food in your tent or tent trailer. Store food in air-tight containers in the trunk of your vehicle.
- Placing all garbage in the containers provided. Do not burn or bury scraps.
- Cleaning fish only at designated fish-cleaning stations.
- Keeping your pet on a leash while hiking.
If a bear or any other wildlife poses an immediate risk to people’s safety, call 911. To report an encounter with aggressive wildlife, call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561. Concerns regarding bears or other nuisance wildlife can be reported to the Ministry of Environment.
More information about bears and bear safety is available at www.saskatchewan.ca/wildlife-issues.