The Department of Natural Resources is warning residents of the Northern Peninsula of recent reported sightings of polar bears near a number of communities.

Polar bears have been sighted near Roddickton and the community of Quirpon, where one bear entered a cabin by breaking a window. Another polar bear was sighted near St. Anthony Monday evening, while on Tuesday a conservation officer spotted a polar bear in the Squid Cove area approximately five kilometres from the community of Castors River South.

The pubic is reminded that mother polar bears are known to be extremely protective of their cubs. Accordingly, anyone encountering a polar bear should:

• Remain calm
• Give the bear(s) space
• Back away slowly, never run
• Speak calmly, but firmly
• Avoid direct eye contact with the bear(s)

People residing in communities in the vicinity of where polar bears have been sighted are strongly encouraged to properly store garbage to reduce the risk for a human�bear encounter.

Conservation officers with the Department of Natural Resources are continuing regular patrols of the areas where bear sightings have been reported in an effort to track the movement of the polar bears.

Anyone sighting a polar bear is asked contact the Roddickton Forest Management Office at 709-457-2300, the Port Saunders Forest Management Office at 709-861-3502 or the RCMP at 709-457-2468.

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Media contact:

Tracy Barron
Director of Communications
Department of Natural Resources
709-729-5282, 690-8241
tracybarron@gov.nl.ca