Ottawa Bylaw warns Osgoode residents to watch for bears

Ottawa Bylaw says a young bear has been spotted in the Osgoode Village area recently. (Ottawa Bylaw/X)

Residents in Osgoode Village are being asked to be “bear aware” after a young black bear was spotted in the neighbourhood.

Ottawa Bylaw says residents should not approach or disturb the “cute, but dangerous” animal.

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Bears are not uncommon in Ottawa, particularly in rural areas. Earlier this month, a bear wandered into a resident’s back yard in the Richmond area before nestling in a tree and leaving of its own accord overnight and a bear was also spotted wandering around the Bayshore area over the Victoria Day long weekend.

Ottawa Bylaw is asking residents to remove anything that might attract bears to their homes.

“Consider removing any bird feeders or food sources from your yard to discourage entry,” Ottawa Bylaw said in a post on X.

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The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources offers tips if you encounter a black bear.

If you see a bear, you should:

• Slowly back away while keeping the bear in sight and wait for it to leave.
• Throw objects, wave your arms and make noise with a whistle, air horn or yelling if the bear does not leave.
• Prepare to use bear spray.
• Get inside a building or vehicle, if you are nearby, as a precaution.
• Drop any food you may be carrying and slowly move away.
• Leave a bear alone if it is in a tree. Leave the area. The bear will come down when it feels safe.
• Play dead only if you encounter a mother bear with cubs.

The ministry recommends you should not:

• Run, climb a tree or swim.
• Kneel down.
• Make direct eye contact.
• Approach the bear to get a better look.
• Attempt to feed a bear.
• Let your dog off its leash.
• Play dead unless you are attacked by a mother bear defending her cubs.