It is common for bears to be spotted in urban areas this time of year. ( (Submitted photo/Ministry of Environment)

By Derek Cornet

wildlife

More than 60 bear complaints in La Ronge area in recent months

Jul 29, 2025 | 5:18 PM

Conservation officers in the La Ronge area have been busy dealing with bear complaints in recent months.

According to information provided by the provincial government, officers have responded to 62 bear-related calls in the La Ronge area so far this season. An email to larongeNOW states bear-related complaints in Saskatchewan are comparable to last year.

There have been several reports of bears roaming neighbourhoods in La Ronge, including one spotted near the Elks Fair Grounds while Canuck Amusements was in town.

“When dealing with bears, conservation officers assess each situation to determine the best approach that protects public and officer safety as well as the welfare of the animals,” the email notes.

larongeNOW inquired about how many had been relocated and how many had been destroyed, but those numbers weren’t currently available due to the busy wildfire season.

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A spokesperson from the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment added while wildfires do have significant localized impacts on habitats and individual animals, impacts at the population level are not expected.

“Though wildfires will result in some animal movement, there is no evidence that this correlates to increases in black bears in urban areas,” she explained.

“In many cases, wildlife, including bears, will return to residuals or unburnt areas within the broader fire-affected area as they are able.”

Saskatchewan has a healthy and stable black bear population, and it is common to see black bears in the wild throughout most of the province. Bears are commonly spotted in Saskatchewan’s northern forests and, at a population level, are well adapted and resilient to wildfire.

If a bear is repeatedly doing damage in your community, or you have an aggressive encounter with a bear, call the Turn in Poachers and Polluters (TIPP) line at 1-800-667-7561 or the RCMP.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com