Public Advisory: Polar Bear Warning Issued for Lodge Bay, Labrador

The Department of Natural Resources is warning residents of Labrador, and particularly trail users, about a sighting of a polar bear near the community of Lodge Bay.
Conservation officers are monitoring the movement of the bear and attempting to coax it out of the area. Anyone in the area, and especially those who use the snowmobile trails, should not approach a polar bear.

If anyone encounters a polar bear, they should:

• Remain calm;
• Give the bear(s) space;
• Back away, get out of the situation, never run;
• If you must speak, do so calmly and firmly; and,
• Avoid direct eye contact with the bear(s).

Anyone sighting a polar bear in this area is asked to contact the Cartwright Forest Management Office at 709-938-7362 or the Port Hope Simpson office at 709-960-0400.

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

2009 04 02                                                   11:15 a.m.