Black bear spotted in Wolfville

Early in the morning of September 30, a Wolfville woman came across a black bear on Skyway Drive near the Acadia University trail system. Department of Natural Resources and Wolfville RCMP were alerted and RCMP searched the area, as many children were on their way to school. “It was along that straight stretch of Skyway drive there was a lady walking her dog,” Cory Isenor, with DNR, said in an interview. “The bear came out of the woods, out of the north side going towards the highway.”

Isenor said the woman was approximately 100 yards from the animal and felt confident in her identification, but there was no sign of the bear later in the morning. “I walked the nature trail and I did not see any signs- any scat, any paw prints -- but there is a lot of traffic on there. “ “The bear could be just passing through, ” he said. However, there were good food sources in the area, including apple trees. “The bears may be in there looking to fatten up as fast as they can. All the drop apples are exactly what they’re looking for.”

Although this is the first (unconfirmed) sighting in the area, Isenor said that it is not a big surprise. “That trail system is big enough to support wildlife or to intrigue a bear. I have suggested for anyone who walks through there, not to be intimidated,” he said. But cautioned trail users and local residents to take precautions, such as making noise while walking. “Snapping your fingers, whistling,” wearing a bell or talking will alert bears and other wildlife to your presence. Isenor suggested trail-users carry a whistle and keep their dogs on leash, perhaps adding a bell to pets’ collars.

Runners may consider wearing a bell, too, Isenor suggested. “My biggest fear is people running by themselves with their iPod and won’t hear a thing.” “The only time a bear will get aggressive is if they feel threatened or surprised,” he pointed out. Adding, “there has never been a reported attack by a black bear in Nova Scotia.” “They’re not there for humans, they’re there for the easy food source.”

Isenor also recommended local residents clean out their green bins regularly, bring in bird feeders and pet food at night, turn backyard compost heaps regularly and avoid putting meat or fish in the compost. “Any food source around anyone’s property, you have to clean that up. Even your barbeque grill,” he said. ““It’s not that we want to scare people, but they should be aware.” “Even that tiny little bowl of cat food is food for a bear. They’re in fat building mode right now -- eating anything they can easily get it.”

Acadia University and Wolfville School have sent out notices to students about the bear sighting. DNR will monitor the situation and take action if the bear becomes aggressive. Anyone who sees evidence of a bear in Wolfville should call DNR at 679-6097.