Bear charges person in Yellowknife, no injuries reported

A bear made an "aggressive charge" toward a person near Great Slave Helicopters in Yellowknife.

That's according to a Facebook post by the Northwest Territories' Environment and Natural Resources Department Thursday morning.

The department reported a sighting of a bear and two cubs near Great Slave Helicopters, on Dickens St. near Old Airport Road, but did not say when the bears were spotted.

The post says Environment Department staff were able to scare the bears away using noise deterrents, and that a fence prevented harm from being done to the bystander.

In a followup email, spokesperson Mike Westwick said the individual who reported the charge believed it was a cub attacking, but said charging "is uncharacteristic behaviour for a cub."

Westwick said ultimately, the response is the same for a family of bears as it would be with any bear: "deter if you can, take additional action if-necessary to protect public safety, keep an eye on the area afterwards to make sure deterrence was successful, and let folks know to be careful."

He also said the incident saw a quick response because someone called the local wildlife information line, which in Yellowknife is 873-7181. 

There have been a number of bear sightings in Yellowknife this summer, and at least three bears have been killed.

The department is warning residents to remain cautious.