Sundre Fish and Wildlife officers are advising residents to be on the lookout for signs of bears after a black bear had to be tranquilized in town last week and a second report of bear tracks was phoned in Friday.
Sundre Fish and Wildlife officer Mark Hoskin immobilized the black bear and relocated it west of the Forestry Trunk Road last week.
On Friday, Hoskin was called out to investigate a report of bear tracks along the Red Deer River east of 2nd Street N.E. near the hospital. In the event, no sign of bear activity was found.
“There could be other bears in the area right now,” said Hoskin.
Residents should report any signs of bears in town, including tracks and droppings, to the Fish and Wildlife office at (403) 638-3805 or 1-800-642-3800.
He noted that bear tracks differ from dog tracks in that bear tracks have five distinct toes with claw marks.
“It's important to look at the series of tracks so it's not a couple dog tracks on top of each other,” he said.
As a precaution Hoskin said residents throughout town should take down bird feeders immediately.
During his search along the riverbank Friday, Hoskin spoke to some of the area residents, including Nancy Svatos.
He advised her that anyone using the bike and walking paths in town right now should be making noise, sticking together and carrying bear spray or a compressed air horn.
(Details on the proper use of bear spray can be found at bearsmart.alberta.ca).
Hoskin said Fish and Wildlife officers have a variety of tools available to deal with wayward bears, including shotguns loaded with rubber bullets and tranquilizers fired from rifles and pistols.
