Lambton County residents are being advised to take steps to avoid attracting bears after 16 sightings were reported over the past two weeks.
Senior Media Relations Advisor for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Jolanta Kowalski said the reported sightings in Lambton Shores include the areas of Ipperwash Beach, Port Franks, and Grand Bend. It's believed the sightings are linked to one black bear that is wandering the area.
"With this specific bear, apparently it's been [attracted] to all things related to garbage and bird feeders," said Kowalski. "It's really critical for people to keep things like garbage, bird food, odors from barbeques, and ripe fruit tree leftovers removed. What you don't want is for a bear to be attracted to the same area because of their phenomenal sense of smell."
Kowalski said it is unusual for bears to come down to the Lambton Shores area but a few are reported each year.
"In this case, if it's one bear [and there are] 16 sightings, that might skew the numbers," she said.
A group of anglers recently filmed their bear sighting on Kettle and Stony Point First Nation.
Residents who see a bear from a safe distance are encouraged to leave it alone.
"If you were to unintentionally encounter a bear, we suggest that people back away and wait for the animal to leave," said Kowalski. "If the animal is not leaving, throw objects, wave your arms and make noise. If you can, get into a building or a vehicle just as a precaution."
Lambton OPP also recently issued an advisory for residents to be "bear wise".
https://twitter.com/OPP_WR/status/1404791627269410821
-With files from Colin Gowdy
