March 17, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Polar Bear Advisory

Kevin Aylward, minister responsible for wildlife, wishes to advise the public that this is the time of year when polar bears appear along the coastline of the province. They drift south with the Arctic ice in pursuit of seals which are their main food source and as the temperature warms and the ice dissipates some bears come ashore and wander through communities on their trek back north. Every year one or two bears are shot by people in fear of personal safety and some bears are captured and relocated by wildlife officials. In order to ensure public safety, minimize property damage, and to preserve the bears, the public are asked to assist the Wildlife Division, by:

- Never feeding a bear.

- Never approaching a bear for any reason. If a bear wanders into your community, go to a safe location and notify anyone else who may be nearby of the bear's presence.

- Keeping dogs under control and away from the bear.

- Not leaving garbage out for collection any earlier than is needed. If you do not have community collection, store your garbage inside until you are ready to bring it to the dump.

- If you hunt seal, do not bring unwanted portions such as entrails into your community.

- Reporting any sightings of polar bears to your nearest Forestry/Wildlife Office. By doing this, officials can take appropriate action if needed and the bear's movements can be monitored and recorded.

- If you do not know the number to the local office, you canll 1-800-563-5050 from anywhere in the province.

Contact: Bill Collins, (709) 729-4180.
David Wells, Communications (709) 729-6183.