Black bears are making unexpected appearances in backyards across Saint John and Fredericton. Residents in Grand Bay Westfield and Martinon recently reported sightings online. In Fredericton, police issued a public safety advisory after locals spotted a mother bear and three cubs roaming city streets. According to a recent report from CBC News, wildlife experts say these animals are just passing through in search of a meal.

Why Bears Are Visiting City Neighborhoods

Spring and early summer bring a shortage of natural food sources like berries and acorns. This scarcity forces bears to expand their search. Graham Forbes directs the Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of New Brunswick. He notes that black bears typically maintain a home range of twenty to thirty square kilometres. When they enter urban areas, they are looking for easy calories.

“I call them walking garbage cans,” Forbes told CBC. “They eat whatever is in season and they are not very picky, but in the spring it is difficult.”

Close Encounters in Local Backyards

The search for food leads to bold behavior. In Fredericton, Sheila Ross watched a mother bear leave her three cubs in a tree while she wrestled with a metal bird feeder for an hour. The bear hissed at onlookers who got too close.

Closer to home in Grand Bay Westfield, Daniel Mark Wheaton noticed a mother bear and four cubs frequenting his property. They hang out right next to his hot tub. Wheaton heightened his precautions with garbage and food, but the bears continue to return.

How to Keep Bears Away from Your Property

Bears live in various terrains and stay in an area if human behavior provides a steady food supply. You need to remove attractants from your yard. The Department of Natural Resources advises residents to secure garbage, take down bird feeders, and bring pet food indoors.

Forbes warns that putting garbage at the curb the night before pickup trains bears to associate houses with free meals. If you find bear scat in your yard, the department recommends using gloves to place it in a sealed bag before throwing it in your household trash.

What to Do If You See a Bear

If you encounter a bear, Forbes says you must never panic or run away. Instead, make noise, wave your arms, make your presence known, and slowly back away from the area.

Bears want to avoid humans unless we train them to expect food. They relocate on their own once they feel safe and undisturbed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are black bears coming into Saint John and Fredericton?

Natural food sources are scarce during the spring and early summer. Bears enter urban areas looking for easy meals like garbage and bird seed.

What should I do if a bear is in my yard?

Leave the bear alone and watch from a safe distance inside your home. Do not approach the animal. Remove any food sources like bird feeders or accessible garbage once the bear leaves.

How should I react if I encounter a bear outside?

Do not run. Wave your arms, make loud noises to announce your presence, and slowly back away from the bear.

How do I safely dispose of bear scat?

Wear gloves, place the scat into a sealable plastic bag, and put it in your regular household garbage.