THUNDER BAY— As spring settles in, residents of Greenstone are noticing an increase in bear activity.
Noticeably several young bears were spotted together earlier this month in the area of fourth avenue south-east in Greenstone, raising concern for residents as the animals end their hibernation.
“At 7 in the morning, I was getting ready for work and my camera pinged, so I went and I seen the two bears right in front of my window,” said Tammy Hebert, a Greenstone resident. “I don't know if they were playing or fighting.”
“It was scary because at seven o'clock kids are going to school,” she said.
Hebert said there seem to be more sightings than usual in the municipality.
The Ministry of Natural Resources encourages encourages everyone to take precautions to prevent attracting bears into residential areas, through its bear wise program. Storing garbage securely, removing food and water sources and keeping pets on-leash is recommended.
Non-emergency bear sightings should be reports to the , while situations involving a threatened bear should be immediately reported by calling 911.
Greenstone OPP, along with many other OPP detachments in the North West Region, have recently been handling calls on a near daily basis regarding bears in the community.
Bear sightings can be reported to the MNR’s Bear Wise reporting line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327.