Critics: Bear calls going unanswered at Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry

Sudbury Police chief Paul Pedersen recently told the media that bear calls are down this year across the city.

• Sudbury police chief says educating residents led to fewer bear calls this summer

That's left some wondering if people are just too fed up to call.

In New Sudbury last week, somebody shot a bear. The animal then wandered into Marilyn Lafreniere's yard and died.

Lafreniere tried to get someone from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to help, but was told it's the property owner's responsibility.

Her next door neighbour, Katie Kulmala also tried to get the MNRF to respond to the bear carcass in the back yard.

Eventually, a city of Greater Sudbury worker and a police officer agreed to help. Both told Kulmala that removing an animal carcass is not part of their respective duties.

Lafreniere says she is extremely frustrated with the response she got from the MNRF. "The Ministry of Natural Resources has to clean up their act. I hope they become aware that a lot of people are dissatisfied with their service," she adds.

Kulmala says the neighbourhood they live in frequently has bears around. She never calls the MNRF bear line. After the lack of response this weekend she can understand the frustration others have felt.

"If they're not going to deal with a dead bear why would they care if there's bear roaming in my neighbourhood," says Kulmala.

Michael Mantha, the MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin, plans to make a statement about the issue at Queen`s Park.

He says his constituents are also upset their calls to the MNRF go unanswered.

"People want to see these bears managed in a way that has always worked in the past through the MNR and they want the MNR to do their role and protect their communities," says Mantha.

He says his constituents are resorting to other measures. "They're either locking themselves in their homes or trying to take matters into their own hands" says Mantha. He adds he is very concerned with public safety.

In the meantime, Sudbury Police are investigating the firearms incident.

Inspector Michael Chapman says because the bear was shot elsewhere and then wandered away it's difficult for investigators to determine if it was a threatening incident.

He says residents should only call 9-1-1 if a bear is threatening.