The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Elgin County Detachment is advising residents of the Municipality of Central Elgin of a potential black bear sighting.
According to the OPP, between 6-7 p.m. Friday, a resident on Kettle Creek Drive, Belmont captured video footage of an animal, which resembled a black bear, in a neighbour's tree.
Police do not believe there are any immediate concerns for public safety.
The OPP is advising residents on how to respond in the case of a bear sighting:
For Emergency Situations:
Call 9-1-1. If a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits threatening or aggressive behaviour, such as:
entering a school yard when school is in session
stalking people and lingering at a site
entering or trying to enter a residence
wandering into a public gathering
killing livestock/pets and lingering at the site
For Non-emergency Situations:
Call the toll-free Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. Non-emergent behaviours include:
roaming around or checking garbage cans
breaking into a shed where garbage or food is stored
is in a tree
pulling down a bird feeder or knocking over a barbecue
moving through a backyard or field without lingering
