Naturalist Michael Runtz on recent bears in the 'burbs and what you should know
Michael Runtz spends a lot of time in Algonquin Park, where you would expect to see a bear.
The naturalist, author, and Carleton University professor spends less time in the suburbs where a bear visited, napped in a tree, and had a Barrhaven (or Bear-haven!) neighbourhood fixated this week.
“I have been exploring the park for 100 years,” jokes a youthful Runtz. “I have seen a lot of bears and have never felt threatened.”
In his new expanded edition of “The Explorer’s Guide to Algonquin Park”, he has a chapter dedicated black bears.
The black bear, who was big news, was tranquilized and relocated to the White Lake area by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) after spending a drowsy day in a Barrhaven back yard Monday.
It was the second suburban bear sighting in as many days. A black bear also took a Sunday morning stroll in Stittsville this week.
If the story had you asking what you should do if you encounter a bear or other wildlife like a coyote in the city or in the wild, Runtz offers these suggestions.
Practical advice from the respected naturalist, Michael Runtz, who encourages others to be wild about nature:
- Never feed a bear or coyote
- Make sure your yard is kept free of food leftovers, and that all garbage is kept in containers that cannot be accessed by animals
- If you live near bear habitat, take down your bird-feeders by spring
- Never approach a bear or coyote or any other wild animal that seems oddly tame
- If you are approached by a bear or coyote (which is a VERY RARE event), make loud noises to frighten the animal away, then report it to the local MNRF office or police
- Carry a whistle with you on walks if it makes you more comfortable
- Keep pets on a leash when walking in the woods
- Do not be afraid to go hiking in the woods; attacks by wild animals are exceedingly rare and, in fact, the odds of being in a car accident or having a serious accident at home far exceed those of having a bad experience with an animal in the woods!
You can learn more at Nature by Runtz on Facebook.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.