Fish and wildlife officers have captured and relocated one black bear from the urban service area after it was tranquilized in Thickwood and captured two other bears at industrial locations.
Officers have also hazed a few other bears out of the city, and most of the other bears that have been spotted have moved on without intervention.
Typically by this time of year officers usually capture anywhere from eight to 10 bears with about four or five coming from the urban service area.
Currently they have two live traps set out in the urban service area in response to bears getting into garbage.
With many bears being spotted around the community in residential areas, Sithara Fernando a wildlife biologist with Bear Scare has some tips if you happen to run into a bear.
“If you’re walking down a street and you see a bear, and the bear doesn’t see you the best thing to do is to back up and leave,” said Fernando. “If you see a bear and the bear sees you , it’s very good to alert the bear.”
She also recommends carrying a deterrent like bear spray, or a whistle to alert the bear.
Bearsmart Wood Buffalo, is a not-for-profit organization in the community that teaches you how to use bear spray and provides you with more information on bear safety.
