Bear sighting in Prescott
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Police are confirming a black bear was spotted in the Churchill Road – Boundary Street area of Prescott around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Constable Rob Prophet of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said bear sightings in the area are “very seldom” but confirmed they received a call about this particular sighting last night.
“We got a call last night just before 8 p.m. from the complainant who said that they saw a large black bear on the trail,” said Prophet.
He said they only received one call about the sighting. Police patrolled the area and kept observation, but did not observe the bear so he couldn't confirm its size.
According to the release, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry works collaboratively with the OPP to protect public safety and educate communities across Ontario about black bear behaviour, adding that black bears that come into a populated area aren't always a threat to public safety.
The police are urging residents to call 911 if a black bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour. They also note that if it's a non-emergency encounter, there's a toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.
It's considered a non-emergency if the bear is roaming around, checking garbage cans, or breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored.
http://www.recorder.ca/2015/05/21/a-...t-on-wednesday
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Black bears that come into a populated area are not always a threat to public safety, according an information sheet from the Ontario Provincial Police and Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.
Grenville County OPP responded to a black bear sighting on a trail in the area of Churchill Road and Boundary Street in Prescott at about 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Police did not see the bear.
The information sheet distributed by the OPP on Thursday afternoon advises the public to call 911 if a bear poses an immediate threat to the safety of humans by showing aggressive or threatening behaviour; this includes entering of trying to enter a home, entering a schoolyard when school is in session or killing pets or staling humans and lingering at the site.
Although police are first responders, the ministry will respond to emergencies during daylight hours at the request of police. For non-emergency encounters, the ministry operates the Bear Wise reporting line (1-866-514-2327) 24 hours a day between April 1 and Nov. 30. Trained staff provide advice about bear behaviour and how to avoid conflicts.
For tips on how to reduce the risk of attracting black bears in populated areas, visit ontario.ca/bearwise.
http://www.insidebrockville.com/news...g-in-prescott/
