For those of you who didn’t catch Larissa Cahute’s article in yesterday’s paper:
A bear has taken up residence in Bells Corners.
A number of community members have reported sightings of the oversized visitor.
Muriel Inglis, who lives on Evergreen Dr., thought raccoons were rummaging through her bird feeders when her motion lights came on Saturday night. When she got out of bed to check, it was “a hell of a shock.”
“There was this nice, great, big, hunk of a black bear,” said Inglis.
Inglis said it was in the backyard for about 15 minutes. He trailed through her backyard, tearing down grass, plants and bird feeders.
According to Inglis, the Ministry of Wildlife and Natural Resources said they’ll only take action if the bear becomes aggressive.
“As far as I’m concerned the ministry should do more about it,” she said Tuesday.
“Behind our hedge, the walk is all kinds of paths — a path to Bell High School where kids walk back and forth to school.
“It’s a good 250-to-300 lb. bear — it was no cub,” said Inglis.
Guy Duxbury lives nearby on Foothills Dr. He spotted the bear Monday just before 6 a.m. — but he said the bear is not new to the neighbourhood.
Apparently, a neighbour reported a sighting last year.
“And it’s a regular visitor now,” said Duxbury.
He said his visit from the bear lasted about three minutes. “It ripped down the bird feeder and it rambled off.”
Duxbury believes the bear is in the swampy area behind Bell High School, which is why he was quick to call the police.
“Being so close to Bell High School … it wasn’t good for the kids going in the morning,” he said.
Laura Sandvold lives on Evergreen Dr., and although she hasn’t spotted the animal, she’s worried for her family’s safety.
“I’ve got two children,” she said. “We don’t let them go out in the backyard anymore — and it’s summer, the weather just started getting nice.”
Sandvold has called the ministry as well and said they only gave her tips for when confronted by the bear. She was told to make noise, look big and walk backwards, slowly.
“That’s useful if you’re in bear country — but I don’t feel that we’re in bear country,” said Sandvold.
“That’s a whole other level of wild life.”