An investigation into car break-ins in the Haliburton area, has turned up an unusual suspect.
On Tuesday night, police say they were called to investigate car entries in the area of Kennaway and Dudley Roads.
The investigation revealed a bear with an interesting talent of opening unlocked car doors.
Officers spoke with residents in the area and discovered the bear had opened more than 10 vehicles over the previous nights, causing significant damage.
Police are requesting residents keep car doors locked and make sure there is nothing inside their vehicles that could be food for a hungry bear.
The OPP and MNRF would like to remind residents that black bears live in most parts of Ontario. Most human-bear encounters occur when bears are attracted by smells, so removing potential attractants will help avoid unwarranted visitors. Knowing what to do if you come across a bear, as not every bear sighting is an emergency situation – and keeping your property free of bear attractants – is being Bear Wise.
Reduce the Chances of Attracting Bears by
Storing garbage in bear-resistant, airtight containers inside a storage area that is not accessible to bears
Washing garbage containers and dumpsters frequently using a strong disinfectant to reduce odours
Putting out garbage on the morning of garbage collection – not the night before
Keeping pet food indoors
Removing grease and food residue from barbecue grills, including the grease trap, after each use
Putting away bird feeders until the winter months
Turning compost regularly and keeping meat, fish or sweet foods like fruit out of your composter
Keeping meat and fish scraps in the freezer until garbage collection day
Picking fruits and berries from trees as they ripen and from the ground.
If You Encounter a Bear
If your personal safety is at risk, call 911 or your local police
Remain calm – often the bear is just passing through, and will move on if no food source is found
If a bear is in a tree, leave it alone and remove other people and dogs from the area
Keep away from the bear, and do not block its exit
Tell others of its location and warn them to keep away, and bring children and pets indoors
If near a building or car, get inside as a precaution
Keep dogs on leash and away from bears
If you have a problem with a bear, call the Bear Wise line toll-free at 1-866-514-2327 for advice on how to avoid human-bear encounters during bear season (April 1 to November 30).
Tips to Avoid Encounters with Bears
Bears have a keen sense of smell and excellent hearing however their eyesight is limited so it is important to make noise when you move through heavily wooded areas which will alert the bear to your presence.
Singing, whistling or talking will alert bears to your presence, giving them a chance to avoid you.
Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of a bear like tracks, claw marks on trees or droppings.
DO NOT wear headphones.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are doing activities outside (i.e. hiking, jogging, cycling, gardening, berry picking or camping) where bears may not realize you are there.
If you are out with a dog, keep it on a leash. Uncontrolled, untrained dogs may actually lead a bear to you.
What to Do If you Spot a Bear
Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight.
If you are near a building or vehicle, get inside as precaution.
Notify the police by calling 911 if a bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety
MNRF staff work closely with OPP officers by supporting them with training on problem wildlife situations.
Persons spotting bears in the community and wanting to make a report and get advice on dealing with bears in the community are asked to call the toll-free Bear Wise Reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY 705-945-7641)
