A black bear was reportedly spotted outside of Wallaceburg early Friday morning, October 5.
A local resident, who will remain anonymous, told the Sydenham Current the animal was spotted at around 4 a.m. in a field near the bend on Highway 40, just past Bedrooms and More.
The resident said it was feeding on something in the field.
The animal, which appeared to be a medium sized bear, looked directly at them when their headlights shone on it.
At first, the local resident thought the animal was a large dog, but the legs and back end of the animal were much larger.
This is not the first report of a bear sighting near Wallaceburg and Chatham-Kent.
Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say a bear was observed on Saturday afternoon, June 16, 2018 in a wheat field on Pollard Line near Port Road.
Two bears were seen crossing Baseline Road, east of Wallaceburg near Tupperville at around 1:10 a.m. on Monday morning, June 18, 2018. Read more details, here.
The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority posted on social media on July 5, 2017 that a bear was spotted close to Highway 40 in the McKeough Floodway channel.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) would like to remind residents:
– Generally, bears want to avoid humans. However, if a bear is posing an immediate threat to personal or public safety, please call 911.
– For non-emergencies the MNRF operates a BearWise Reporting Line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327; Hearing Impaired (TTY) 1-705-945-7641. The Bear Wise reporting line is available 24/7 from April 1 – November 30.
– Most human-bear encounters occur when bears are attracted by smells, so removing potential attractants will help avoid unwarranted visitors. Knowing what to do if you come across a bear – and keeping your property free of bear attractants – is being Bear Wise.
If you do spot a bear:
– Remain calm and do not run, climb a tree or swim.
– Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight.
– Watch the bear and wait for it to leave, if it does not leave wave your arms and make noise.
– If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as precaution.
Visit Ontario.ca/bearwise for more information.
