Bear cub’s body not recovered after Lake Street incident: MNRF

WARNING: The above photo gallery contains a picture of the cub shortly after it was struck on Lake Street. The photo may be disturbing to some readers.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) has confirmed to SooToday that they were unable to retrieve a bear cub that was struck and killed by a vehicle on Lake Street earlier this week.

On Tuesday, members of the SSM Bear Watch group on Facebook were alerted that a mama bear and her two cubs were roaming the east-end neighbourhood.

Within the hour, an upsetting image of the mama bear attempting to drag its cub’s lifeless body from the street appeared on social media after it had been hit near the top of the hill on Lake Street.

That day, the MNRF says support was initially requested by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and that officers called the MNRF to respond to the incident.

“Witnesses indicated that the adult female bear had dragged the deceased cub into the backyard of a nearby residence,” the MNRF wrote in an email to SooToday. “MNRF staff responded and tried to see if they could retrieve the body of the cub.”

“The adult female bear was defensive and it was decided for safety reasons to leave the cub in hopes the adult would move the cub or move on herself. The bear continued to display defensive behaviour so staff increased their perimeter to give her time and space to leave the area safely. The adult female bear has moved on and the body of the cub is no longer at the residence.”

In the end, the MNRF confirmed they were unable to locate or recover the bear cub.

“The cub is no longer there so we assume the mother moved it somewhere else,” the ministry says.

Residents in that area, like Cindy Walker who lives on MacDonald Avenue, have been capturing countless photos of the furry trio in their backyards and along area streets as that part of town has become a popular path for bears to venture.  

The news that the cub was not recovered is saddening for Walker.

“It’s heartbreaking – I guess the mama wanted it,” she says. “I thought it was surprising that she had taken it, but I guess that’s just like any mother with a child. You never want to let them go.”

“I’m surprised the cub hasn’t been sighted by a homeowner. But there is some bush area all through the neighbourhood, so it could be anywhere.”

As of Saturday, Walker says she still hasn’t seen the mama and the other bear cub.

“One person told me they had seen the mama and her cub two days ago just down the ravine from us,” she says.

Accustomed to watching the bears display a playful attitude, Walker says the aggressive behaviour the mama bear showed the ministry on Tuesday puts into perspective how upset the animal must have been.

“In all the years I’ve watched them, I’ve never been exposed to aggressive behaviour from any of the bears,” she says. “It’s like watching a mother with her kids at the playground for me.”

“The mother must have been so stressed. They all have emotions – all wildlife does. This make us aware that they can be aggressive.”

When asked if they would consider adding ‘Bear Crossing’ signage to the neighbourhood, the MNRF says they do not normally erect signage within municipal boundaries. SooToday has reached out to the city for more information on that inquiry.

To avoid wildlife collisions, the MNRF has shared the following recommendations:

• Watch for signs that have been posted in high wildlife collision zones and slow down
• Motorists should use extra caution when driving at night as black bears are dark in colour and very difficult to see in the dark, dusk and dawn
• Some wildlife travel in groups - such as a female bear and her cubs. Motorists should use caution when they see one animal and be on the lookout for family groups

If an animal is hit on the road, the MNRF reminds the public to:

• Call 911 or the local police if there are any injuries to vehicle occupants or significant damage to your vehicle.
• Inspect your vehicle to see if it is safe to continue driving.
• If you have injured a bear in a vehicle collision, please call the provincial Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327 to report, especially if cubs are involved.

More information on bear safety can be viewed here.