With temperatures rising and black bears becoming more active, Manitoba Sustainable Development is reminding Manitobans to ‘Be Bear Smart’ while in or near bear country.
To avoid conflicts with bears, practice these preventive measures:
- never approach or feed a bear (or any other wild animal);
- keep dogs on a leash when out for a walk;
- take down bird feeders between April and November and clean up leftover feed;
- store garbage in a secure building or bear-resistant container;
- secure outside compost piles or compost food items indoors;
- remove ripened or fallen fruit daily;
- leave barbecues turned on for a couple of minutes after cooking to burn off grease and reduce odours;
- clean barbecue grills and grease cup after each use;
- clean up after picnics in the yard or on the deck so food odours don’t linger;
- feed pets indoors and never leave food dishes outdoors; and
- fully enclose backyard beehives and chicken coops. Electric fencing is an effective bear deterrent.
These measures also apply to other wildlife species that can create conflict, such as coyotes, deer, raccoons, skunks and squirrels.
Roadside feeding of wildlife, including black bears, is prohibited to prevent wildlife from associating people and cars with an easy meal. Feeding wildlife along roadways can lead to:
- vehicle collisions with wildlife or other vehicles,
- having to euthanize an animal because it has been injured by an approaching vehicle,
- damage or destruction to personal property, and
- aggressive wildlife becoming a threat to people.
Bears are wild animals and must be respected. When in bear country, people should assume bears are in the vicinity, even if no recent conflict or encounters have been reported. Remember to carry bear deterrent spray and know how to use it. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, walk or jog in groups, make noise and do not use ear phones to listen to music.
More information on how to ‘Be Bear Smart’ is available at www.manitoba.ca/blackbear.
