The sighting of a black bear near Denfield has prompted the Municipality of Middlesex Centre to issue a reminder to residents to to use extreme caution if they encounter the animal.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has been notified about the bear, municipality officials posted to social media late Monday afternoon.
Black bear attacks are said to be extremely rare. Typically, the noisier the bear, the less dangerous it is, as long as it is not approached. The noise is a warning signal to scare anyone nearby away.
Anyone who encounters a bear is advised to slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave. If the bear does not leave, throw objects, wave your arms and make noise with a whistle or air horn. According to the ministry, someone who comes across a bear should never run, climb a tree, swim, kneel down, or make direct eye contact.
Non-emergency bear sightings should be reported to the ministry's "Bear Wise" reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. People in an emergency situation involving a bear are advised to call 911 immediately.
