New Brunswickers should not be surprised to see the occasional bear wandering around cities and towns.
That’s according to a regional biologist with the Department of Natural Resources.
Eric Sullivan says this time of year bears are out looking for food.
“The berries haven’t come out yet, the nuts and that. They’re eating a lot of grasses and flowers and they’re a big animal and it takes a lot to feed them,” says Sullivan. “So they’re very opportunistic and if they find a source of food from humans, they certainly will capitalize on it.”
Sullivan says some of the more common sources of food are barbecues, bird feeders compost and garbage.
He adds you should give the bear space, and only call the DNR if it’s becoming a nuisance.
“I guess we’d define a nuisance bear as a bear that is hanging around, it seems to have lost its fear of humans, maybe showing some aggression and causing some damage,” says Sullivan. “That’s the kind of bear we would like to be called on and we would deal with.”
Sullivan explains what you should do if you see a bear.
“Retreat, leave it, give it some space, don’t try to approach it, try to get into your house or somewhere that’s safe and hopefully it’ll go on its way,” says Sullivan.
He adds most bears are just moving through the area and don’t want to hang around humans more than they have to.
Sullivan says cleaning up potential sources of food around your house will encourage bears to move on to a more “natural” environment.
