Bear excrement located at a residence in the 3300 block of Grey Owl Crescent is a sure sign that a bear was there. (submitted photo) 

By Ronald Quaroni

Wildlife in the city

Bear confirmed in the backyard of Grey Owl Crescent residence

Jul 24, 2019 | 1:03 PM

Residents in the 3300 block of Grey Owl Crescent should be on high-alert.

Three different piles of bear scat and paw prints in a residence’s backyard are confirmation a bear was in the city.

(submitted photo)

“This was, I believe yesterday (Tuesday) or the day before (Monday),” Conservation Officer Kevin Harrison said.

He noted despite a healthy bear population, it’s unlikely bears will come into a city, but they do see it happen every once in a while.

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Harrison explained homeowners should take precautions to not habituate bears to being fed by or near humans.

“Bears, they’re ruled by their stomach. We want to keep food at a minimum,” Harrison said. “Put your garbage away, put your pet food away. That’s likely what’s going to attract them.”

Other tips include keeping your yard clean and reducing access so bears can’t come in.

Harrison said the bear in the recent incident hasn’t been seen since. If the bear does return, conservation officers have a few options.

“We try not to shoot a bear if we don’t have to. So we’ll try and head it out of the city, trank (tranquilize) it and relocate it out of the city,” Harrison told paNOW. “Last resort, if public safety is in jeopardy, we’ll have to put down that bear.”

He explained this is why feeding a bear should be avoided.

“It gets food habituated; it knows that human contact means food and usually that means bear is going to have to be put down,” Harrison said.

If someone spots a bear they are encouraged to phone their local conservation office, or contact Sasktip at 1-800-667-7561 or text #5555 (only for Sasktel customers).

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Ron.quaroni@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @RonaldQuaroni