Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
July 12, 2016

Public Advisory: Bear Advisory Issued for Humber Valley and Surrounding Areas

Residents are advised of reports of black bear activity in the Humber Valley, Deer Lake, Bay of Islands and Gros Morne areas.

Residents are encouraged to take appropriate steps to avoid attracting bears into their communities and backyards, where the animals can pose a risk to public safety. This includes the proper storage, collection and disposal of garbage including not putting out garbage until collection day.

If anyone encounters a bear, they are reminded to:

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

Anyone sighting a black bear in the Humber Valley area should contact the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency's District Forestry Office in Massey Drive at 709-637-2370.

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Media contact:

Tansy Mundon Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Forestry and Agrifoods Agency 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

2016 07 12                              4:00 p.m.