Be Bear Wise — Know Who to Call

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1. Content
2. Additional Resources
3. Related Topics
4. Media Contacts

Bears may wander into public or urban areas in search of food, but not every bear sighting is an emergency. It is important to know who to contact if you encounter a bear.

Non-Emergency Encounters

Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY: 705-945-7641) if a bear is:

• Moving through a backyard or field but is not lingering
• Roaming around the neighbourhood
• Checking garbage cans
• Breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
• Knocking over a barbecue
• Pulling down a bird feeder
• In a tree

This line operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and is open this year from April 1 to November 30. Provincial staff can provide advice on how to avoid and respond to human-bear encounters and how to manage wildlife attractants in your home and community.

Emergency Situations

Call 911 or your local police if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety. Some threatening or aggressive behaviours include:

• Entering a schoolyard when school is in session
• Stalking people and lingering on-site
• Entering or trying to enter a residence
• Wandering into a public gathering
• Harming livestock or pets and lingering on-site

Police are first responders for any emergency. If requested by police, the Ministry of Natural Resources may help respond to emergencies during daylight hours.

Visit ontario.ca/BearWise to learn more about how to avoid attracting bears and what to do if you encounter one.

Additional Resources

Related Topics