Natural Resources
October 27, 2014

Public Advisory: Residents Warned of Black Bear Activity

The Department of Natural Resources is advising residents that there have been black bear sightings in the areas of Gambo, Hare Bay, Indian Bay, Traytown and Glovertown. Conservation officers with the department have placed traps where black bears have been reported and recently relocated a bear from Traytown to a remote area.

To avoid attracting bears in communities and backyards, residents are encouraged to ensure the proper storage and disposal of garbage, and to wait until collection day to place garbage in outside containers.

The department warns residents that wild animals can be extremely dangerous and unpredictable when approached by humans and that adult black bears or cubs should not be approached. If anyone encounters a bear, they are reminded to:

• Remain calm;
• Back away slowly and do not run;
• Avoid eye contact with the bear; and
• Remove any garbage or food that may have attracted the bear.

Bears are common in many areas in Newfoundland and Labrador at this time of the year. Anyone sighting a black bear is asked to please contact their local Forest Management Office. The standby telephone number for the Gambo area, which should be used after regular business hours, is 709-674-1521.

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Media contact:

Diana Quinton Director of Communications Department of Natural Resources 709-729-5282, 631-8155 dianaquinton@gov.nl.ca

2014 17 20                                    4:30 p.m.