Bear visiting Morrison Point Sunday

This bear was photographed on Goodman Crescent, off Morrison Point Road, on Sunday morning at about 10:15. Two residents saw a bear (unknown if it’s the same one) within half an hour. Photo by Rick Flood, of Toronto.

A black bear was observed Friday evening at 6pm just outside of Picton on Ridge Road and then in a trailer park on Cty Rd 10, south of Ridge Road, an hour later.
“In both cases the bear did not approach the complainants but was in close proximity to residential homes,” Prince OPP constable Kim Guthrie said. “Officers responding to the complaints observed the bear a short distance away on Airport Lane, peacefully eating garbage in the ditch along the road.  The bear quickly left when the cruiser drew closer.”

Although unconfirmed, Guthrie said this could be the same bear spotted in Bloomfield earlier the same day.
“According to Ministry Officials it is not uncommon for bears to travel more than 100kms in a period of a week,” she said. “It is also not uncommon for bears to seek out non natural food sources such as household garbage. Residents of the County, whether town or rural occupants, are reminded to remain calm if they encounter a bear, don’t run, but rather back away slowly to put a safe distance between themselves and the bear.”

The following tips are also provided:
–  Store garbage in waste containers with tight fitting lids.
– Put garbage out ONLY on morning of pick up.
– Put away bird feeders – bird seed attracts bears.
– Clean outdoor grills – bears are attracted to grease and food residue.
– Pick up fruits and berries as they ripen – don’t let them rot on the ground.
– Do not leave pet food outside.
– Put meat scraps and trimmings in freezer until garbage day.
– Do not put meat scraps, fruit, or sweet food in composter – turn compost regularly.

Information is also available on the MNR web-site at www.ontario.ca/mnr under the Bear Wise topic.

If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911 or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Bear spotted in Bloomfield

JUNE 22 – A bear was observed by two residents in the village of Bloomfield just after 7am this morning.
Prince Edward OPP Constable Kim Guthrie reports the medium sized black bear was seen walking south down a driveway, crossed the Main Street, entered the back yard of a second residence and disappeared into the woods that surround the west end of the Bloomfield Mill Pond.

The sighting follows two bear sightings in rural areas west of Wellington last week.
The first sighting was made by a resident on Hubbs Creek Road just before 7am June 13 by a caller observing a black bear cub in his back yard.
The second sighting was made June 14 at about 8am by a woman working on a property on Huycks Bay Road.
The woman heard some rustling in the brush near her and when she looked up, saw a black bear cub.
“The woman ran to her car and the bear cub followed her.  Once inside her car, the woman could see an adult bear standing in the bushes, but the adult did not approach the woman’s location,” Guthrie reported.  The woman sought help and when she returned to the area, noticed her lunch bag was missing, presumably taken by the bears.”
No contact between the bears and the humans were made in either incident. The Ministry of Natural Resources was notified.

The OPP urge residents to exercise sound judgement and common sense with bear encounters and to simply stay clear of any bear, and in particular, a sow with cubs.
People can call the toll free Bear Reporting Line at (1-866-514-2327) 24hours/7days/wk and speak to a live operator who will be happy to provide advice on bear behaviour, how to avoid human-bear conflicts and how to remove attractants.  Information is also available on the MNR web-site at www.ontario.ca/mnr under the Bear Wise topic.

Guthrie say if a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911 or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122.