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Saskatchewan residents advised after bear attack

May 5, 2016 | 6:37 PM

Saskatchewan residents are told to be more vigilant after a bear attacked a woman last week.

Rich Hildebrand, a conservation officer with the Ministry of Environment said because its spring season, it’s not unusual to see bears in the area.

“Be vigilant, watchful and be careful when you are out. If you are camping, make sure you clean out your garbage,” Hildebrand said.

He said anyone who encounters a bear should keep their distance.

“If by chance the bear decides it’s attacking or chasing do not run away; you can’t outrun a bear. So keep talking, make yourself look big and if it actually attacks you then you fight back, not play dead,” he advised.

Saskatchewan has a healthy bear population which are cautious around humans. It’s rare they’ll attack, Hildebrand said. But he notes they are still wild and unpredictable animals.

“Since they are hungry, they are going to be looking for food all the time and the young ones will start looking for their own home territories as well,” Hildebrand said.

The black bear attacked the woman while walking her dogs in a wooded area in the west central part of the province.

If you have an encounter with a bear that is aggressive, please call 1-800-667-7561.

 

busayo.osobade@jpbg.ca

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