The black bear that was trapped by the Ministry of Natural Resources in Tobermory is in pain.
The two and a half year old bear was released back into the woods yesterday after being trapped outside the Little Tub Bakery.
The MNR used pastries to attract and trap the black bear.
Bear Management Technician Doran Ritchie says as they released the bear, they fired rubber slugs and bean bags at the animal’s rump.
It’s called negative re-conditioning and Ritchie claims it’s a very effective way and painful way of re-establishing the fear of humans into the bear.
Ritchie says they don’t relocate the bears because the Peninsula is too small.
This is already the third bear trapped by the Ministry of Natural Resources in the last few weeks.
The other two were trapped just north of Wiarton and in Keppel Township, north of Owen Sound.
Ritchie tells Bayshore Broadcasting News they have also been busy responding to numerous calls about bears.
Ritchie recommends you keep your garbage indoors until pickup day and also remove bird seed to keep your property clear of bears.
Bears have already been spotted in more urban areas such as Port Elgin and Wiarton and Ritchie says it’s not uncommon.
But he says the bear season will slow down in mid to late July
If you do see a bear — Ritchie says don’t panic — just call the Bear Wise hotline at 1-866-514-2327.