A recent bear attack in northwestern Ontario has stirred discussions around bear safety. Officials say such incidents are rare but people should still take appropriate safety measures.Sightings of black bears aren't uncommon in parts of Ontario. Provincial officials say people should take steps to better understand bears and their behaviours before enjoying recreational time in forested areas. A recent bear attack in northwestern Ontario has stirred discussions around bear safety.
"Here in Ontario we have a healthy and sustainable population of black bears and lots of people recreating on the landscape. There are thousands of human bear interactions every year in Ontario and very, very few result in a bear making contact with a human." Wabakimi Provincial Park is northwest of Lake Nipigon, Ont. Earlier this month, emergency services responded to a bear attack in a remote part of the provincial park.
The province has multiple online resources dedicated to bear safety. They outlines preventive measures as well as what to do in the event of a bear encounter.Some tips include making noise as you travel through forested areas, hiking in groups and ensuring accompanying dogs are leashed.
"Don't litter on the trails, don't leave anything out that may have the scent of food on it. That's just going to attract bears to the area. So if we keep our trails looking as pristine as possible … the less likely that there will be bear encounters," said Mackett.