Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) staff are currently on site attempting to capture a family of bears near Spruce Glen Public School.
It comes after Trillium Lakelands District School Board shared the school went under a hold and secure again Thursday afternoon due to the animals. It’s the third time this week.
Micheline Mamone, provincial coordinator for Human/Wildlife management with the MNR, says this is not a common occurrence.
“MNR staff have been working actively in the area for the past few weeks, raising awareness about bears, working with residents and businesses to ensure waste management practices are not attracting bears into the community and making attempts to capture the bears for relocation a to more appropriate habitat,” says Mamone.
She adds bears are normally shy, elusive and actively avoid humans. Mamone says the recent bear activity is likely related to the availability of “attractants”, such as unsecured garbage.
“Bears are opportunistic feeders. So, when food sources like bird feeders and food waste and garbage are easily accessible, it can lead to an increased presence in human-populated areas,” says Mamone. “Addressing proper waste management practices like securing trash in bear-proof containers can help to reduce these interactions and encourage bears to stay in their natural habitats.”
She says bears generally avoid direct interactions with humans as long as people follow safety guidelines like keeping a safe distance.
“The risk remains low. Education and awareness can help both students, teachers and parents feel more confident in navigating these occasional encounters,” she adds.
