A black bear, affectionately called Yogi, has been the topic of conversation in a town north of Winnipeg. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * A black bear, affectionately called Yogi, has been the topic of conversation in a town north of Winnipeg. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? A black bear, affectionately called Yogi, has been the topic of conversation in a town north of Winnipeg.
Residents of Sandy Hook have reported multiple sightings of the bear since April on their community Facebook group. Other posts show bird feeders knocked down by the furry local. One person saw the bear in her backyard at the end of April.
Helen Martinez said it was the first time she had seen a black bear up close, but doesn’t think it poses a risk in the town. TIM SMITH / BRANDON SUN FILES A black bear dines on dandelions bordering Highway 10 in Riding Mountain National Park earlier this year. “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Martinez, who has lived in Sandy Hook for the last eight years, said Saturday afternoon.
“We are in their territory. We have to respect that.” Martinez, 64, said she understands some other residents are concerned about their children or small pets, but the grandmother of one said she’s usually inside when the bear makes its appearance in the early morning or evening.
When the bear came into her yard, she didn’t have anything out that would attract it, but some neighbours had bird feeders out. Martinez said she called Manitoba Conservation after the sighting. She was told as long as the bear is not a threat, there’s nothing they could do to relocate it.
They advised to stay away from it, she said. Manitoba Conservation could not be reached for comment. Martinez said it was amazing to see the bear.
“We can all enjoy Mother Nature,” she said. “It’s a beautiful animal and I wouldn’t want anyone to hurt it.” Sandy Hook isn’t the only community Judy Stearns has heard of with bear issues this year.
The owner of Black Bear Rescue Manitoba said residents of Falcon Lake and Winnipeg Beach have also reported seeing bears. Attractants being left out are the problem, Stearns said. “Black bears are naturally afraid of humans and they don’t want to be near human activity of communities or in people’s yards,” Stearns said.
“But their hunger can override that, so if they’re finding food easily in communities or yards, then they’re going to keep returning to get that food.” Things like bird feeders, accessible garbage, pet food left outside, barbeques that smell like food or food packaging left in cars can lure bears, raccoons, skunks and coyotes closer to humans, she said. Bears have been known to open unlocked vehicle doors if they’re hungry.
Monday mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Black bears are not aggressive but can get “pushy” if they’re trying to get food. They can also be at risk if they have to cross busy roads in search of that meal, Stearns added.
“Absolutely we’re concerned about the bear’s welfare because when bears are attracted towards humans, usually the bear comes out on the losing end of that, but it’s just not good all around,” Stearns said. Black Bear Rescue Manitoba works with Natural Resources in the province to care for orphaned cubs and rehabilitates them so they can be released back into the wild. Stearns recommends banging on a window or making other noise to scare away a bear that’s close to humans to keep its natural fear of humans intact.
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