Latest news with #bearattack
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Bear attacks dog in North Bay
A dog was wounded in North Bay recently when it was attacked by a bear. A dog was wounded in North Bay recently when it was attacked by a bear. The incident took place May 25 at the end of Tower Drive, North Bay Police spokesperson Merv Shantz said in an email. 'Apparently, it happened a couple of kilometres past the dead end,' Shantz said. The owners took their dog to an emergency veterinarian in Barrie, he said. 'It is now doing better,' Shantz said. 'We didn't really have any involvement, as the people contacted the (Ministry of Natural Resources) and animal welfare.' A message to the MNR from CTV News seeking details about the incident has not yet been returned.
CTV News
5 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Two people injured in bear attack in Timmins, Ont.
A black bear is seen in this file photo. Two people were injured in Timmins early Thursday morning by a black bear that was trying to protect its cub. Two people in Timmins were injured early Thursday morning when they were attacked by a black bear that appeared to be trying to protect its cub. Police said the incident took place at 4:08 a.m. on Lozanne Crescent. 'A resident had let their dog outside when they noticed a bear cub in a nearby tree,' police said in a news release. 'As efforts were made to retrieve the dog, the resident was attacked by the mother bear. A family member who attempted to assist was also injured. Both sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The dog was unharmed.' Both taken to hospital Police spokesperson Michelle St. Louis told CTV News she didn't have details of the injuries, but said both victims were able to call police and were later taken to hospital. It's also unclear exactly how the attack ended, St. Louis said, adding she's unaware of any similar bear attacks in the city in recent memory. Police were called but after a search and patrol of the area, officers were unable to locate the bears involved in the incident. 'This incident has been forwarded to the Ministry of Natural Resources for further investigation and response,' police said. The MNR is planning to put bear traps in the area, police added. Police remind the public of the importance of never approaching bear cubs, since the mother is close by and may respond defensively. 'Avoid intervening in bear encounters – your safety should be the top priority,' police said. 'Secure garbage and outdoor food sources – never leave pet food, birdseed or waste accessible to wildlife.' When to call 911 or police Only call police in emergency situations, including when a bear: - Enters or tries to enter a residence or schoolyard while school is in session; - Stalks or lingers near people in a threatening manner; - Wanders into a public gathering; - Kills a pet or livestock and remains in the area; or, - Exhibits aggressive or threatening behaviour. 'In these situations, police will respond and may contact the ministry for support,' police said. For non-emergency situations, call the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 (TTY: 705-945-7641). For more information on bear safety and prevention, click here.
The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Could you survive a bear attack? It might depend on the species
A woman is in critical condition after being attacked by a bear on the outskirts of a forest in Slovenia. Local authorities have issued warnings, advising residents to be cautious and steer clear of the area. The incident raises an important question: How should one respond to a bear encounter or attack? According to the U.S. National Park Service, understanding bear behaviour is crucial and could be life-saving. Bears are unlikely to attack humans without reason, typically doing so only when they feel threatened, are protecting their young, or perceive a person as a potential food source. While every encounter is different, charges can typically be sorted into two categories: bluff and aggressive. Bluff Charges Bluff charges are more common and aim to scare or intimidate. The park service says that when a bear bluff charges, it will usually have its head and ears up and forward, it will puff itself to look bigger, and bound on its front paws toward you, moving in big leaps before stopping short or veering off to one side. So what should you do? In this situation, regardless of the bear type, you should slowly back away while waving your arms above your head, and speak in a calm voice. When the bear charges you, hold your ground and stay calm, and only when it stops should you slowly retreat. Whatever you do, don't run off during a bluff charge. Aggressive Charges Aggressive charges are cause for concern. The park service says warning signs of an aggressive charge may be when a bear yawns or clacks their teeth, pounds their front paws on the ground while huffing, has its head down and ears pointed back. Be ready to protect and defend yourself. But at this point, it's important to distinguish what kind of bear you're up against. Black bear If a black bear charges and attacks you, your best option is to stand your ground and fight back. 'Do not play dead. Direct punches and kicks at the bear's face, and use any weapon like rocks, branches, or bear spray to defend yourself,' the park service suggests. But they are agile and adept at climbing trees, so on no account ascend the branches to evade them. Hopefully, this will alarm the bear into a retreat. Brown bear If a grizzly or brown bear charges and attacks you, play dead. Panicking or screaming will alarm the bear and cause it to attack. 'Cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Lay flat on your stomach, and spread your legs apart. Keep your pack on, it will help protect you during an attack. Stay still and don't make any noise,' it said. 'Fighting back during an attack from a grizzly/brown bear will usually worsen the attack, but if the attack persists, then fight back with everything you have.' As polar bears are driven inland as a result of climate change melting the sea ice, encounters with the largest land carnivore on earth are increasingly likely. And while intimidation tactics might work, you won't have a lot of options. Best to avoid the scenario at all costs if you can help it.
CTV News
6 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Woman injured in black bear attack near Vancouver
A black bear is seen near Lake Louise, Alberta, June, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward Provincial conservation officers are investigating after a woman was attacked by a black bear near Vancouver on Tuesday. The B.C. Conservation Officer Service says the woman was walking near her home in the village of Anmore shortly before noon when a black bear came around the corner of her house and confronted her. The bear kept advancing towards the woman 'despite (her) attempts to scare the bear away,' and then bit her, the agency said in a social media post. 'She managed to get away by spraying the bear with a garden hose,' the statement said. The woman was treated for injuries that were described as not life-threatening. Conservation officers responded to the scene but could not locate the bear Tuesday. The agency says a bear trap has been placed in the area and officers continue to investigate the encounter. Residents are urged to get acquainted with wildlife safety precautions, including keeping pets on leashes and being aware of one's surroundings, the conservation officer service said.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Bear attacks and critically injures woman walking her dog in Slovenia forest
Bear that attacked multiple people in Slovakia seen running across yard A woman was in critical condition on Wednesday after a bear attack in a forested area outside Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, police said. The attack on Tuesday occurred at the edge of the forest in Skofljica, some 6 miles southeast of the capital, as the woman was walking her dog, police said. The bear retreated into the forest after the attack and police have advised local residents to stay away and be cautious. "There are several hunters in the field at the same time, who are responsible for possibly deterring bears from points where contact with humans could occur," police said. "If it is necessary to increase the number of hunters in the field, we will do so." The incident came just days after authorities approved the culling of 206 brown bears, whose population in the area has grown to around 1,000 bears. The small Alpine nation of just over 2 million people is widely forested with many protected nature zones. Authorities occasionally approve bear or wolf culls despite strong opposition from animal rights groups. Two bear attacks on people were recorded in 2022, according to Slovenia's official STA news agency. European brown bear (Ursus arctos), in the Notranjska forest, Slovenia, in a 2021 file photo. Sergio Pitamitz/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The nation of Slovakia, to the northeast, has also grappled with a surging brown bear population as well as attacks on humans. Last month, lawmakers approved a plan to shoot about 350 brown bears in Slovakia after a man was mauled to death while walking in a forest there, the BBC reported. In 2024, a woman died in Slovakia after being chased by a bear through dense forest and mountainous terrain.
