This bear cage is located only steps away from Studer St. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

On The Move

Conservation officers deal with more than 20 bear cases in La Ronge area

Jul 9, 2020 | 1:19 PM

Bears sighting have been common in the Lac La Ronge Provincial Park in recent months as the Ministry of Environment has dealt with more than 20 cases.

That’s according to Conservation Officer Kevin Harrison, who said of those cases, more than 15 were relocated, one was euthanized, and several others were either shot by residents or hit by vehicles. During the relocation process, Harrison explained they are either caught in a bear trap or tranquilized, then driven to a location far away from the site.

“We take them quite away because they’re known to wander back to where they come from,” he said. “You want to take them 50 kilometres or more from where you trapped them from.”

Harrison noted the bear population is healthy this summer and has been on the rise for the last several years. He also mentioned it was a late spring this year meaning the bears are emerging from hibernation a bit late as well. With the berries behind schedule because of it, Harrison said bears could enter yards in search of garbage, pet food or bird feed.

“If there is no food there for the bear, they are going to wander on to find it elsewhere,” he said. “The bears are driven by their stomach, so they will be looking for an easy meal somewhere else.”

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If someone comes in contact with a bear, Harrison recommends staying calm, don’t run, slowly back away or make a wide detour. He also advises to speak in low tones, don’t look directly at it or feed it. Dropping articles of clothing could distract a bear, but if it attacks, Harrison said don’t play dead, defend yourself and try move behind a rock or tree.

Back in May, the Nut Point Trail was temporarily closed due to bear sightings in the park.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno