NLIS 4
June 30, 2005
(Natural Resources)
Department seeking
public cooperation to address black bear concerns
The Department of Natural Resources
is seeking the support of the general public to address the sharp
increase in the number of black bears infringing on populated areas
located throughout Forest Management Districts 2 and 3 which
encompass the Bonavista and Burin Peninsulas.
Over the past several weeks conservation officers have been
inundated with telephone calls from concerned residents from 20
different communities. In addition, calls have been received from
schools and hotel operators reporting the presence of bears near
their property.
Conservation officers have been working diligently to address the
problems by making the public aware of issues surrounding bear
management and working with local waste management committees to
control disturbance of bears at dump sites, which often act as a
food source attracting the bears closer to communities. Officers
have also been engaged in the live trapping of bears. To date, five
black bears have been trapped and re-located within Forest
Management District 2 and 3. To help address the problem two new
culvert traps are being constructed and will soon be deployed in the
area.
While conservation officers have been attempting to address the
problem, the large volume of black bear complaints is posing a
challenge as it is difficult to address each call as quickly as they
would like. Accordingly, department officials are also seeking the
support of the general public to help mitigate the problem as the
matter cannot be addressed solely through live trapping and
relocation.
As bears are drawn to communities in search of anything they
consider food, conservation officers are encouraging the public to
take action to remove anything that may attract bears regardless of
how small it may be. Preventative steps that people can take
include:
- Keeping all garbage inside until
just prior to pick up;
- Storing all pet food and
containers inside;
- Not composting household scraps
such as dairy products, meats, fish and other food items;
- Storing barbeques inside;
- Promptly harvesting fruits,
berries and vegetables growing on or near their property.
The public are reminded if they
should encounter a bear they should remain calm, keep talking and
slowly back away from the animal, giving it space. Never run and
always avoid direct eye contact which may be taken as a challenge to
the bear. Since bears have a strong maternal instinct, be extremely
cautious around a female with cubs.
All bear encounters and sightings should be reported to the nearest
office of the Department of Natural Resources. Any bear sightings in
the problem areas identified in Forest Management Districts 2 and 3
should be reported to the Clarenville Forest Management District
office at (709) 466- 1427.
Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282,
685-4624
2005 06 30
12:10 p.m. |