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Be Bear Wise
The Ministry of Natural Resources is committed to reducing preventable causes of human-bear conflict in Ontario. The Bear Wise Program teaches people about black bears as well as things they must do to keep bears away from urban and semi urban areas. We work with community leaders to establish local prevention programs. We offer many education and awareness products including a website. We provide a bear information and reporting line. We work in partnership with police to respond to human-bear incidents.
More Information
Prevent encounters:
Learn about black bears:
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| Seed, suet and nectar can attract black bears. |
An evaluation of the program was conducted in 2008. This 2009 report summarizes how the program was evaluated and provides recommendations for improving the program.
Evaluation Of Ontario's Provincial Bear Wise Program
Download PDF (258 KB)
Be Bear Wise – What You Can Do
Warmer weather is here and it is the perfect time to be Bear Wise.
You can remove many things that attract black bears to populated areas. Here are some tips:
- Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids and only put garbage out on the morning of pick-up.
- Remove bird feeders and only use them during the winter months. Black bears are attracted to foods like seed, suet and nectar used to feed birds.
- Clean outdoor grills after each use, including the grease trap underneath.
Are You Bear Wise?
Melissa Lamb of CHEX-TV learns about bear safety.
Black Bear Ecology - Teacher Guides
With a focus on the fascinating world of black bears, this program provides teachers with a classroom ready resource. More...
TO REPORT BEAR PROBLEMS: contact the Bear Reporting Line at: 1-866-514-2327 (TTY) 705 945-7641
In a life-threatening emergency, call your local police or 911.
This site is maintained by the Government of Ontario
Last Modified: August 06, 2010