'Not something you normally see': Woman spots pair of bears on Manitoba road
A Manitoba woman saw something unexpected on her drive to work this week, seeing a pair of black bears on the road.
Around 6:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Debra Chwartacki was driving from Grand Beach on Highway 12 when she saw a car parked on the road. She looked over to see what was going on and saw two “enormous” bears in a ditch within five feet of her car.
Chwartacki noted the bears looked healthy and big, and were enjoying eating the grass.
“I parked my car and decided I was going to take some photos. It’s not something you normally see,” she said.
“I mean they’re out more and more now, but I was shocked to see them that close to the road.”
Black bears are being spotted in the Grand Beach area. (Source: Facebook/Debra Chwartacki)
Chwartacki said she’s never seen bears in the Grand Beach area before, as she's new to the area, but heard of other sightings, including in people’s yards.
A number of people have also taken to social media to report their bear encounters.
“Other people have noted that they’ve seen the same large bears around,” Chwartacki said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Northern Development said there have been fewer than 100 reports of interactions between people and black bears so far this spring.
The statement noted that it’s too early to know how weather conditions will impact food availability and movement patterns, but many of the bear interactions have involved attractants in people’s yards.
The government reminds Manitobans to take the following steps to avoid attracting bears:
- From April to November, store your bird feeder in a place that can’t be accessed by wildlife;
- Do not approach or feed a bear;
- Restrain your dog when walking through your community or on trails;
- Store garbage in a secure building or a bear-resistant container;
- Secure compost piles or compost food items indoors;
- Remove all ripened or fallen fruit in the morning and before dusk;
- Allow barbecue grills to burn for a few minutes after cooking; and
- Feed pets indoors.
More information about wildlife-human interactions can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.