Thunder Bay

Trapping of nuisance bears underway in Atikokan, Ont.

A mother bear and her three cubs are becoming a problem for some Atikokan, Ont. residents, and provincial police say efforts are underway to trap the animals.

Ongoing complaints of a motehr bear and three cubs frequenting local neighbourhoods

Atikokan residents say that nuisance bears have returned to the town — this time in the form of a sow and three cubs. (Theodore L. Hatch/AP)

A mother bear and her three cubs are becoming a problem for some Atikokan, Ont. residents, and provincial police say efforts are underway to trap the animals.

The OPP's Rainy River district detachment, along with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and the Town of Atikokan are trying to capture and relocate the nuisance bears.  

According to a media release from Ontario Provincial Police, the ministry has agreed to help, due to the ongoing complaints of the mother bear and cubs that have been frequenting local neighbourhoods.

Several traps will be set, police said.  The organizations involved in the trapping efforts are reminding the public to:

  • Keep dogs in the house or on a leash;
  • Keep garbage locked away until the morning of garbage collection;
  • Do not interfere with the trap in any way;
  • Notify the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 if a bear is found in a trap.