Bear sightings in Rivers

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This article was published 04/07/2023 (881 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON — Numerous reports of a black bear wandering the town of Rivers have prompted local police to establish a sightings tip line on their Facebook page.

Rivers Police Service Sgt. Dan Gaignard said Manitoba Conservation was contacted about the bear over the weekend, when it was spotted on the streets of the small town, some 41 kilometres northwest of Brandon.

On Monday, Gaignard said he believes the bear has retreated to the nearby river in search of food.

“There’s a bunch of Saskatoon (berry bushes) down there that are all ripe and ready to be eaten, so we’re pretty sure that’s what’s attracting them to the area.”

Jocelyn Beever, a cattle producer who owns a farm just outside Rivers, told the Sun more bears — and other wildlife — are being seen in and around town in the past few years. She theorized they are moving out of Riding Mountain National Park, 90 kilometres northeast of Rivers.

“Whether because there’s an overabundance (of animals) and they’ve moved out or whether they’ve always been around the park, but their habitat is decreasing … They’re following the waterways, where there’s trees and food.”

Beever has spotted bears on her property before over years, usually near the river that runs through her land.

She was concerned, with the exception of avid outdoorspeople who enjoy hiking and camping, that many in town aren’t sure what to do if they spot a bear — or, worse yet, encounter one face-to-face.

“We need to educate people in our community about how to dispose of your garbage, and what to do if you come across a bear,” Beever said. “Maybe we need to get some (bear-proof) garbage disposal.”

Although Manitoba Conservation is the organization that deals with wildlife, Gaignard said local police still respond to calls.

While a bear strolling through town might not be an everyday sight, Gaignard said the community is taking it in stride. “As long as he stays (at the river) and gorges himself on some berries, we’ll probably be OK.”

Black bears are found throughout Manitoba, and are most likely to be encountered in wooded areas of the province, the government’s Co- existing with Black Bears handbook says.

Bears are always in search of food, motivated by sights, sounds, memories and particularly odours. When bears find an easy source of food at a residence or campsite, they begin to associate this food source with people and dwellings.

They can get bold in acquiring this food and become nuisances. The best solution is to remove food sources from residences and campsites, which will reduce the attraction for them to visit in the first place, the province says.

Black bears should never be approached or fed, whether intentionally or inadvertently.

When hiking, situational awareness is important, and the province’s handbook encourages carrying bear deterrents.

Home and cottage owners should secure garbage where bears can’t access it. Garbage containers should be cleaned regularly with bleach or ammonia. Garbage should not be burned, and food should not be composted outside.

— Brandon Sun