Local bear sighting; photo courtesy Paqtnkek Mi'kmaw Nation FB page
The arrival of spring temperatures means there’s been an uptick in local bear sightings.
Some have been spotted in residential areas, including Port Hawkesbury.
A technician of forest resources with the province’s Department of Lands and Forestry says it’s not unusual for this time of year.
David Steeves tells The Hawk bears are trying to find easy food sources to replenish themselves after a long winter of hibernation.
“Their movements are controlled by their belly,” he says. “If they catch a good wind of a green bin that’s putting off some pretty good smell or somebody’s garbage, they’re going to follow that.”
Steeves says green bins, grills and bird feeders are all easy food sources that could draw bears to your yard, but there are precautions you can take to avoid the uninvited guests.
He says keeping green bins inside, freezing food waste until waste collection day, letting the grill burn off after you barbeque and not putting up bird feeders will help keep bears away.
“The onus is really on folks to take responsibility of those green bins for the benefit of the wildlife.”
Steeves says bears carry a large amount of body fat, so they prefer to search for food at dusk and dawn when temperatures are lower.
He says bear activity should slow down as summer temperatures rise.
Steeves says he recommends slowly backing away while talking in a low, authoritative voice if you find yourself face-to-face with a bear- and whatever you do, don’t run.
