Bear sightings in Courtice
Published June 10, 2021 at 2:41 pm
Caution and common sense are the messages Durham Regional Police are sending out to Courtice residents after multiple sightings of a mother bear and her cub during the past week.
The latest sighting was Sunday near a residential neighbourhood at Nash and Trull roads and police are reminding residents to not approach the bears. Keep a safe distance, police say, and contact the Ministry of Natural Resources (@ONresources) at 1-866-514-2327 or Durham Police (@DRPSEASTDiv) at 1-888-579-1520.
If you do encounter a black bear, police urge you to stop, do not panic and try to remain calm.
When bears are caught off guard, they are stressed, and usually just want to flee. Generally, the noisier the bear is, the less dangerous it is, provided you do not approach. The noise is meant to scare you and acts as a warning signal.
It is also recommended you slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave. If it does not leave, throw objects, wave your arms and make noise with a whistle or air horn.
If that doesn’t work, drop any food you may have and if you are near a building or vehicle get inside as a precaution. If you have bear spray, prepare to use it.
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If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone. Leave the area. The bear will come down when it feels safe.
Do not: Run, climb a tree or swim; kneel down; make direct eye contact; approach the bear to get a better look or attempt to feed it.
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