Is Flin Flon seeing an increase in black bear sightings this summer? According to the mayor and informal accounts, it’s more than paws-ible.
When asked during the July 7 meeting of Flin Flon city council, Mayor Cal Huntley said the number of bear sightings he had been informed of was higher than average this year. One of those sightings came from members of Huntley’s own family.
“My daughter lives just off the perimeter and twice now, she’s had a mother and her cubs walking through her yard - and they’re coming from a residential area, too.”
Humane bear traps have been set up within Flin Flon city limits and outlying areas to snag any bears wandering into municipal areas. Some accounts of ripped-up garbage bags and minor property damage have been reported within Flin Flon and attributed to bear activity. No injuries relating to bears have been reported.
Huntley said the City had met with Manitoba Sustainable Development to discuss the "bear-a-normal" activity and how residents can stay safe, including hiding garbage and possible food sources.
“We’ve met with [Sustainable Development] because they have been very prevalent in the community, both in the community and out in the cottage areas as well,” said Huntley.
“They really encourage you not to put your garbage out until the morning that it's going to be picked up. If you can, leave it in the garage or keep it in the house. Sometimes, that’s not practical or possible. They do set up traps on occasion, but the treasures are in the garbage, not in the traps.”
The exact reason why more sightings have been reported this summer is not known. Bear sightings in Flin Flon and surrounding communities are not unusual in the summer months, but bears have been spotted in broad daylight within town limits. Sightings have also not been “paws-ed” during rainy or hot weather.
It is possible that a main reason for the uptick in sightings is impacts on food sources. One theory is that higher water levels in northern lakes, rivers and streams have made it harder for bears to pick up fish typically found in shallow waters, while some forms of berries bears often eat did not appear until later in the summer.
Another theory is that a lack of participation in this year's bear hunting season has led to a higher population. In Manitoba, the spring hunting season for bears typically runs from late April to late June.
“We’re on their pathway, with Ross Creek going right through and all that stuff. It’s a natural progression for them to walk through the community. It’s not unheard of, it’s a pretty regular occurrence summer-wise, but they’re very busy this year. You have to be careful,” Huntley said.
“It’s unusual. There’s more of them - I think the berries were late this year, too.”
Residents are asked to report bear sightings either to Flin Flon RCMP at (204) 687-1423 or to Manitoba Sustainable Development (often referred to as its former name, Manitoba Conservation).
