Lena Torres
There have been several sightings of black bears in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. While the bear population in the city is small, with sightings within city limits being rare, bears have been known to wander into the city from the surrounding area in search of food. In one instance, a small black bear was spotted in the backyard of an Owen Sound couple's home, and in another, a bear was struck and killed by a vehicle. Ontario's black bear population is the second-largest in North America, and the province conducts annual barbed-wire hair trap surveys to monitor their numbers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bear sightings in Owen Sound | Not uncommon |
| Bear behaviour in Owen Sound | Wander into the city looking for food |
| Bear colour in Owen Sound | Black |
| Bear size in Owen Sound | Small |
| Bear behaviour towards humans | Not aggressive |
| What to do if you see a bear | Do not approach it, do not feed it, keep pets inside, call 911 if an immediate threat |
| Bear sightings in Ontario | Widespread |
| Bear management in Ontario | Barbed-wire hair trap surveys |
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What You'll Learn
Bear sightings in Owen Sound are not uncommon
In June 2019, a small black bear wandered into the backyard of an Owen Sound couple's home, resulting in a 911 call. The bear was spotted by Danny Jensen, who captured footage of the bear about to snack on peanuts his wife, Lorrie, had left out for chipmunks. The Owen Sound Police Service responded to the call, and bear management technicians from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also came to the scene to assist. The bear was likely a yearling—a cub about 12-18 months old, according to a Ministry of Natural Resources official.
In May 2021, a small black bear was spotted again on the west side of Owen Sound, near the escarpment. The bear was not acting aggressively and was last seen wandering into the bush area of the escarpment. Owen Sound police reminded residents that it is not uncommon to have bear sightings within the city and that bears will wander into the city in search of easily accessible food sources like bird feeders.
Ontario, Canada, has the second-largest black bear population in North America. The province conducts annual barbed-wire hair trap surveys to monitor black bear populations and help inform sustainable management decisions. When bears come to investigate the survey stations, they brush up against a single strand of barbed wire that captures a small sample of their hair. These hair trap surveys do not disturb or injure the bears, and the collected hair samples are analysed using DNA testing.
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A small black bear wandered into a couple's backyard
The bear was likely a yearling—a cub about 12-18 months old. June is mating season for black bears, and mother bears will kick out their yearlings, who then wander alone in search of food. This bear was likely attracted by the peanuts, bird feeders, or garbage. While bear sightings within Owen Sound city limits are considered rare, they do occur, and bears may wander into the city in search of easily accessible food sources.
After spotting the bear, Danny Jensen called 911, and the Owen Sound Police Service responded. Bear management technicians from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also came to the scene to assist. An officer was stationed on the parallel Alpha Street between 8th Avenue West and 11th Street West to monitor the bear's movement. The police spotted the bear once more before it disappeared into the brush.
It is important to note that if people see a bear, they should not approach or feed it. Pets should be kept inside, and if the bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, people should call 911 or their local police administrative line or the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.
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Bear management technicians and police responded to the scene
The bear was likely a yearling, a cub about 12-18 months old, according to a Ministry of Natural Resources official on the scene. June is mating season for black bears, and mother bears will often kick out yearlings to make room for new cubs. These young bears then wander alone in search of food. This behaviour can lead them to venture into residential areas, as they are attracted to easily accessible food sources such as bird feeders and garbage.
In the case of the Jensen's backyard bear, the animal was not acting aggressively and was last seen wandering into the bush area of the escarpment. While bear sightings within Owen Sound are not uncommon, it is important for residents to take precautions. People should not approach or feed bears, and pets should be kept inside if a bear is spotted in the area. If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, residents should call 911, and police will respond.
Additionally, residents can contact the local police administrative line or the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 if they notice bears exhibiting behaviour such as wandering around checking garbage or knocking down bird feeders. These lines provide guidance on preventing bear encounters and ensuring the safety of both the community and the bears themselves.
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Bear sightings within city limits are very rare
In recent years, there have been a few reported cases of bear sightings within Owen Sound city limits. In June 2019, a small black bear wandered into the backyard of Danny and Lorrie Jensen's home on 8th Ave. W. The bear was spotted by Danny Jensen, who captured footage of the incident. Owen Sound Police and Bear Management technicians from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry responded to the scene. The bear was likely a yearling, a cub about 12-18 months old, according to a Ministry official. Yearlings are known to wander alone in search of food during the mating season, which occurs in June.
Another bear sighting was reported in Owen Sound in May 2021. A small black bear was spotted on the west side of the city near the escarpment early on a Monday morning. The bear was not acting aggressively and was last seen wandering into the bush area. Owen Sound police reminded residents that bear sightings within the city are not uncommon, as bears may wander into urban areas in search of easily accessible food sources, such as bird feeders.
While bear sightings within Owen Sound are rare, it is important for residents to be aware of the presence of bears in the surrounding areas and take precautions to avoid potential encounters. Residents should not approach or feed bears and should keep pets inside if a bear is spotted. If a bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, residents are advised to call 911. Additionally, individuals can contact the local police administrative line or the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 if they notice bears checking garbage or knocking down bird feeders.
Ontario, where Owen Sound is located, is home to the second-largest black bear population in North America. The province conducts annual barbed-wire hair trap surveys to monitor black bear populations and make informed management decisions. These surveys are carried out in different areas across Ontario to ensure the collection of widespread data. The information gathered helps understand food availability for bears during different seasons and guides efforts to ensure the safety of both bears and humans.
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If you see a bear, do not approach or feed it
Bear sightings are not uncommon in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In the event that you do see a bear, it is important to remember to not approach or feed it.
If you see a bear, the first thing to do is to remain calm and assess the situation. Do not approach the bear, and do not feed it. Black bears, like those found in Owen Sound, are typically shy and will avoid human contact. However, if they are hungry, they may be attracted to easily accessible food sources such as bird feeders, garbage cans, or food left out for other animals. Therefore, it is important to keep your distance and not provide any food for the bear.
If the bear is in your backyard or close to your home, slowly back away and go inside. Ensure that all windows and doors are closed securely, and do not leave any food out that may attract the bear. If you have pets, bring them inside as well, as they may attract the bear's attention.
If you are outdoors and encounter a bear, remain calm and assess the bear's behaviour. If the bear has not seen you, slowly back away and leave the area. Do not make any sudden movements or loud noises that may startle the bear. If the bear is aware of your presence but is not exhibiting aggressive behaviour, speak calmly and assertively to it. Wave your arms slowly above your head to make yourself appear larger, and back away slowly. Do not turn your back on the bear, and always maintain eye contact.
If the bear is acting aggressively, make yourself appear as big as possible by waving your arms and shouting. If you have children with you, pick them up if possible, as bears may be less likely to attack an adult. If the bear continues to approach, use bear spray if you have it, or throw objects at the bear to try to scare it away. If the bear makes contact with you, fight back using any means necessary.
It is important to remember that feeding bears can create a public safety risk, as it can make them lose their fear of humans and associate people with food. This can lead to bears becoming a nuisance or even a danger to humans. Therefore, it is crucial to never approach or feed a bear, and to always maintain a safe distance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there are bears in Owen Sound. Black bears have been sighted in the area, with some wandering into the city and residential neighbourhoods.
Bear sightings within the city limits of Owen Sound are considered rare. However, it is not uncommon for bears to wander into the city in search of food.
If you see a bear, you should not approach or feed it. Keep your pets inside, and make sure to bring in any bird feeders or garbage that might attract them. If the bear poses an immediate threat to public safety, call 911.
The Ontario government conducts annual barbed-wire hair trap surveys to monitor the black bear population and make informed management decisions. These surveys are set up in forested areas with bait to attract bears, and they help collect DNA samples for analysis.
