There’s a lot of chatter and photos on social media these days, of bears wandering into people territory in Timmins.
“A bear sighting is not necessarily something that merits a police response,” according to Timmins Police Service corporate communications coordinator Marc Depatie.
He says if the bear is hurt or acting aggressively, you should absolutely call police. Otherwise, contact Bear Wise.
“Merely seeing a bear and being able to make enough noise that the bear eventually wanders off as it should then. That doesn’t merit a police response.”
Bears have been spotted this week on MacLean Drive and Gold Mine Road – not exactly quiet, low-traffic areas.
“Motorists should be mindful of the fact that bears can cross their path,” Depatie advises. “They are deceptively fast. Despite their clumsy appearance, they can move at a quick pace.”
While driving, you should also pay attention to the ditches, especially at dawn and dusk, for large animals.
City police had to shoot a bear that had been hit by a car on Laforest Road, early last Wednesday morning.