Wildlife officials are urging area residents to leave an injured young bear alone to protect both the animal, and themselves, from harm.
A small black bear, believed to be between three and four years old, drew the attention of homeowners and animal lovers after it was spotted in the fields south of Cochrane, just off Highway 22, in the last week.
One local rescue shelter put out a scathing call on social media to ask why it isn’t authorized to step in and scoop up the bear, and other concerned citizens have shared their thoughts with the government wondering why it isn’t doing anything to help the animal.
Brendan Cox, a spokesman for the Justice and Solicitor General, said while the department understands people’s concerns, he wants residents to trust the experts that – even though it may be hard to watch – leaving the bear alone is actually what’s best for the animal.
“It is always upsetting to see an injured wild animal, and we understand that people feel a strong connection with this bear,” said Cox. “Officers and biologists believe, based on our professional wildlife management experience and practices, that this bear should be left alone … Any attempted intervention may not be in the animal’s best interest.”
Cox said bears become independent from their mothers at about one year old, so any discussion of the animal being abandoned or orphaned is very likely not the case.
He added since the bear is able to move and forage for food, and given that it will begin to hibernate in the next few weeks, he or she will likely continue to heal while denning over the winter.
“The bear was observed yesterday afternoon and again today,” he said. “We will continue to keep a close eye on this bear in the coming weeks.”
While wildlife officials have the expertise to track the bear’s movements, motorists who have been stopping on the highway to take their own look at the animal are not helping the situation, said Cox.
“In the interest of public safety, this bear is not to be approached and should be allowed to continue foraging and moving freely until denning,” he said. “Injured animals can be more likely to aggressively defend themselves. Animals will be stressed from the injury and will be further stressed from attempts to intervene.”
