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Bears spotted near Barrie city limits, says South Simcoe Police

Most recent sighting was on a golf course on 10th Sideroad
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NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE
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INNISFIL — South Simcoe Police Service would like to make the public aware that over the long weekend there have been a couple of bear sightings in Innisfil.

The most recent sighting of what appeared to be an adolescent black bear occurred on Sunday night at a golf course on 10th Sideroad just outside of the City of Barrie limits.

We want to emphasize there is no cause for panic. We just want to alert the public to the fact that we have had bear sightings. We do get sightings yearly and we urge you not to approach a bear if you see one but to call police.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has these instructions to minimize the chances of attracting bears:

Store garbage in waste containers with tight-fitting lids.
Put out garbage only on the morning of pickup.
Put away bird feeders. Seed, suet and nectar attract bears.
Pick fruits and berries as they ripen. Don't let them rot on the ground.
Clean outdoor barbecue grills after each use, including the grease
trap underneath. Bears will be drawn by smells from great distances, including grease and food residue on grills.
Keep dogs on leash; sometimes bears will follow off-leash dogs back to you.

If a bear is posing an immediate threat to public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour, call 911 or your local police. The police may request support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to respond to emergency situations, on a case-by-case basis.

For non-emergencies, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry operates the toll-free, 24/7 Bear Reporting Line (1-866-514-2327) and the Bear Wise website to provide the public with information

For further information visit.
http://www.natureindeed.com/PDFs/Nuisance_Bears_MNR.pdf

Police are asking anyone with information to contact South Simcoe Police at
(905) 775-3311, (705) 436-2141 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
You can submit information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime
Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous.
Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may
lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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