The Ministry of Natural Resources has euthanized the bear that attacked a man at Sandbar Provincial Park.
Spokesperson Jolanta Kowalski says the attack was a bit out of the ordinary because most typical encounters are bears going through someone’s garbage or wandering through and not causing any disturbance. A Thunder Bay man was attacked by a black bear Saturday while walking his dogs. He was taken to the Dryden Regional Health Centre and has been released.
Meanwhile, Kowalski has some safety tips if you’re going to be out in the wild.
– keep a close eye on your pets and don’t leave them tied up outside
– keep any food products away from your campsite, cottage or home as bears have an excellent sense of smell
– if you’re hiking, make noises as you move through the bush so you don’t get any surprises
– keep a whistle, pepper spray or something to protect yourself in the event of an attack
Kowalski says bears are common in Northwestern Ontario and that most of the time they pass without being noticed. However, it’s important to be cautious and know how to react if you come across one.
