聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 The Good Spirit Acres Board is issuing a warning to all residents and guests of the hamlet that both a cougar and a bear have been sighted.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The hamlet board made a post on Facebook on July 7, explaining that the cougar and black bear have been wandering the hamlet.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 There have been quite a few sightings of wild animals around two years old, said Rich Hildebrand with Saskatchewan Environment. The bears are new adults, sent out by their mother to find their own territory.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The post warned to take precautions with children and small animals, and to ensure that food is not left outside, where the animals could get at it. Since bears tend to follow their noses, Hildebrand warned not to approach or feed them, as they will then become a problem.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 If a bear is encountered, campers are warned to back away from the bear while making loud noises. Do not try to outrun a bear.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The bears are not a problem as of yet because they are avoiding humans, so Hildebrand said that no traps are necessary, and humans can just let them be.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 There have been no confirmed sightings of cougars, but the animals are moving east in the summer, Hildebrand said. If a cougar is encountered, distract the animal and make loud noises until it moves on.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 If either animal is sighted or if there are any concerns, residents are to contact Saskatchewan Environment at (306)-786-1463. If a camper has an aggressive encounter with a bear or cougar, he or she may call SaskTIP at 1-800-667-7561.
