With bear season in full swing, it’s important for residents and visitors to be aware of the potential dangers and take necessary precautions, especially when visiting landfills. Understanding how to stay safe around bears not only protects you but also helps preserve our local wildlife by preventing dangerous encounters.
Here are some quick tips to ensure you and your family’s safety when visiting our landfills:
- Always check around and in every mirror to make sure there are no bears nearby before getting out of your vehicle.
- If you encounter a bear: Stop. Do not panic. Remain calm.
- Do not run, kneel down, or make direct eye contact with the bear.
- Slowly back away, keeping the bear in sight and re-enter your vehicle.
- Wait until they leave the area before exiting your vehicle.
If you spot a bear, call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line: 1-866-514-2327 (or TTY 705-945-7641)
*the line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from April 1 to November 30.
If a bear exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour and poses an immediate threat to your personal safety, call 911.
For even more safety tips and how to prevent and report bear encounters, visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/prevent-bear-encounters-bear-wise
For landfill locations and hours, visit: https://www.westnipissing.ca/residents/waste-and-recycling/landfills/
