Provincial researcher gives an update on the black bear population
Black bear sightings in Timmins and across the north began before the snow melted.
A bear research scientist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry said at this time of year, bears are hungry.
“They come out of their den, they’ve used up all of their fat stores over the winter,” said research scientist Joe Northrup.
“Then they can put up to 30 to 40 per cent of their body weight in a summer and fall just eating non-stop during that time period when there’s good available food for them and really, really pack it on which is incredible."
Northrup said one of the biggest bear research projects has been ongoing since 2017 and it involves collecting bear hair samples that help determine the species population.
"And what we see in the Boreal forest, numbers are a little lower than they were previously,” he said.
“In the southern parts in mixed deciduous forest, bear populations have gone up a little bit, as well. And we also see some areas where bear populations have gone down quite a bit -- one place in particular is the Bruce Peninsula.”
Northrup said the most effective way to preserve the population of black bears is to keep conflicts with them to a minimum.
“That’s how we keep people and bears safe ... keep your bird feeders inside, keep your trash inside, those sorts of things, those are the best to focus on," he said.
The ministry reminds the public that not every bear sighting is an emergency.
It said to call 911 if a bear has broken into your residence or into a schoolyard, but call the 24-hour Bear Wise line if a bear is up one of your trees or is it or your household garbage.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Something in the water? Canadian family latest to spot elusive 'Loch Ness Monster'
For centuries, people have wondered what, if anything, might be lurking beneath the surface of Loch Ness in Scotland. When Canadian couple Parry Malm and Shannon Wiseman visited the Scottish highlands earlier this month with their two children, they didn’t expect to become part of the mystery.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.