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After bear reports across Yellowknife in recent days, the NWT government said on Thursday one of the animals had been killed on the shore of Great Slave Lake to protect residents.
“We can confirm that a bear had to be dispatched late on August 7 along the shore near the boardwalk close to Rotary Park. The animal was making its way through the neighbourhood and posed a risk to public safety,” a spokesperson for the Department of Environment and Climate Change stated by email.
It’s not clear if just one bear was responsible for a variety of sightings across the city, or if multiple bears have been in the vicinity lately.
ECC’s spokesperson said wildlife officers “make every attempt to deter bears within communities, but in some cases the animal can lose its fear of humans and avoid trapping efforts.”
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“In these cases, public safety must take top priority and dispatching an animal is only used as a last resort,” the spokesperson continued.
“It is not an easy decision for officers to make but necessary when public safety is at risk.”
ECC urged residents to “remember we live in bear country,” never approach the animals and ensure garbage is bear-proofed. There are more safety notes on the territory’s website. Bear sightings can be reported via a 24-hour emergency line at 867-446-2073.
“This year we are seeing a lot of bears that appear to be juveniles, which would be at the age where they are learning to fend for themselves,” ECC stated following this week’s many sightings.
“As a result, they can be attracted into communities from their regular habitat in search food sources to meet seasonal demands.”
Caelan Beard contributed reporting.
