The Black Bear in the National Capital Region

The forest is the black bear’s home. To be safe in the forest, it’s important to be informed and act prudently.

Normally, black bears avoid humans. However, when food is scarce, they are more likely to approach humans. This is particularly true if they detect easily obtainable food, or if they are used to the presence of humans.

There are several ways to react when confronted by a bear. At all times, you must give the bear the opportunity to flee. Make sure you are not between a female and her cubs.

Although each confrontation is different, the following advice is helpful to bear in mind.

You can reduce the risk of encountering a black bear, which usually just wants to avoid humans, by taking a few simple precautions:

• Travel in groups.
• Do not feed animals.
• Avoid attracting bears with the smell of food.
• Never approach a bear; keep your distance (100 metres or about 330 feet).
• Leave the area if you see signs that bears are nearby (such as scat/droppings, torn up logs, overturned rocks and so on).
• If you’re walking your dog, make sure it’s on leash at all times.

Here are a few tips to follow specifically when camping:

• Keep food away from animals. Store food in the trunk of your vehicle. If this isn’t possible, place the food in a bag and hang it from a tree branch at least three metres above the ground and one metre from the trunk of the tree.
• Do not leave garbage or leftover food in or near the campsite.
• Do not eat or keep food or cosmetic products inside your tent.
• Wash dishes promptly.

Black bears do not truly hibernate. They may awaken sometimes in winter, if they are disturbed. When winter temperatures are exceptionally mild, they may also leave their den for short periods of time.

When a bear awakens in the winter, it is not searching for food.

In the unlikely event that you encounter a bear in winter, make your presence known by making noise or by speaking in a calm voice. Slowly back up, but do not turn your back to the animal. Calmly leave the area, and do not try to take a photo.

Black bears sometimes stand up on their hind legs to see better. They also lift their noses to smell better. These behaviours, even if they are accompanied by low growling, are not signs of aggression.

However, chattering of teeth or loud blowing should be considered warnings. If the black bear hits the ground or hits objects with its paws, or if it looks like it’s going to charge, it is clearly showing that it does not want you in its territory.

It is extremely rare for black bears to attack humans. In fact, the probability of being hit by lightning is greater than that of being attacked by a black bear.

In case of a real attack:

• Do not play dead. This technique may work if you’re facing a grizzly bear, but it probably won’t work with a black bear.
• Defend yourself. Struggle, yell, hit the bear with a rock, stick or paddle. An energetic and vigorous defence increases your chances of making the black bear leave.

If you observe an animal behaving in a way that could put the public at risk, contact the NCC emergency line. Call 613-239-5353.

In Gatineau Park, please report any bears displaying abnormal behaviour to the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre.