(North Bay – April 17, 2020) A trail user advised the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority of a bear sighting this afternoon at the Laurentian Escarpment Conservation Area and the Laurentian Ski Hill at 15 Janey Ave, North Bay.
A sign has been erected at the trailhead and will remain there for 72 hours advising those using the trails of the bear sighting. Bear sightings are normal for this time of year as the bears are foraging after awakening from winter hibernation.
For more information on bears, bear encounters, and how to deal with an encounter with a bear, visit:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Bearwise website. https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise
Living Smart with Bears - Wildsmart http://www.wildsmart.ca/bearsmart.htm
If you see a bear in an NBMCA Conservation Area, please advise NBMCA at 705 474-5420. In a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also recommends reporting bear sightings to the Provincial Bear Reporting Line as well. The number is 1-866-514-2327 and operates 24 hours per day from April to November.
A reminder that if you are walking the Conservation Area trails during the current COVID-19 pandemic, you are required to maintain social distancing of at least 2 metres. Dogs must be kept on a leash which is particularly important at this time of year for the safety of trail users and pets as the bears emerge from hibernation.
The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority was founded in 1972 by the Province of Ontario and its 10 member municipalities. A non-profit organization, the NBMCA works closely with the public to balance human needs with environmental needs throughout the region’s watershed. The NBMCA is one of 36 Conservation Authorities who are members of Conservation Ontario.
You can follow NBMCA on facebook.com/theNBMCA and twitter @theNBMCA. Website: www.nbmca.ca
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Contact:
Sue Buckle, Manager Communications and Outreach (705) 474-5420