Bears are active in the NWT right now! We want to remind you that it is your responsibility to avoid encounters with bears. There are quick and easy steps you can take to protect yourself from bears.

Don't attract bears to your home!
To avoid an unexpected encounter, start by avoiding attracting bears to your home, cottage, or community by getting rid of things that attract bears. Bad encounters usually occur when a bear is in a populated area. Additionally, if a bear becomes accustomed to human food and garbage, it will be tempted to stay near populated areas and will have a harder time surviving in the wild.

Take the following steps to protect yourself and bears: 

• NEVER feed wild animals.
• Keep food, pet food, gasoline, and other things that might attract bears indoors or in an airtight container.
• Protect your garbage from bears by keeping it indoors, in a shed, or in a secure container that locks or stays securely closed so a bear can't open it. 
• Avoid gutting fish or butchering animals near communities, cottages, or homes. Dispose of leftovers safely, away from crowded areas, to prevent conflicts with bears.

Prepare yourself when going out into nature
Take the following steps to avoid unpleasant encounters with bears:

• Carry bear deterrents, such as bear spray or bear canisters, and learn how to use them.
• Do not leave waste, food or otherwise, in the countryside and protect your campsite from bears.
• Make noise, travel in groups, and have bear spray handy.
• Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
• Watch for signs of a bear and if you see one, leave the area.

If you see a bear:

• Stay calm.
• Keep your distance.
• Walk away slowly backward, speak calmly and DO NOT run.
• Consider the wind direction to ensure the bear cannot smell you.
• Make loud noises using a horn, whistle, or clapping your hands to scare him away.
• Get ready to break out your bear spray.
• Report bear sightings in or around your community to your local wildlife emergency line.
  • Contact details here.

Bear Behavior Indicators and What They Mean:

• The bear climbs a tree = the bear is scared, it is trying to get to safety or escape danger.
• The bear runs away from you = the bear may be afraid and actively avoiding confrontation.
• The bear moves away while looking behind = The bear escapes, but checks whether the danger persists and is cautious.
• The bear moves at a leisurely pace in a disorderly manner = the bear is probably indifferent, relaxed, or unaware of an immediate threat.
• The bear is staring at you = the bear might be curious and trying to assess the situation from a distance.
• The bear is standing on its hind legs and looking at you = the bear is probably curious, perhaps trying to get a better look or seeking more information.
• The bear approaches, stopping at times = the bear is curious, but hesitant; it does not know whether to approach further or retreat.
• The bear pounds the ground or growls = the bear is displaying aggressive or defensive behavior, perhaps due to a perceived threat.
• The bear is walking directly towards you with its head down = the bear is probably in a predatory position, perhaps ready to attack or see you as a threat.

If a bear charges you:

• Make some noise and don't turn your back on him.
• Bears often pretend to attack. If they do, they will change direction at the last minute.
• Only use bear spray when the animal is very close.
• If you have a gun and contact seems unavoidable, shoot to kill.
• If it's a grizzly bear, play dead during the attack, lie on your side, curl up into a ball, legs pulled up to your chest and arms folded behind your neck.
• Once safe, immediately report the incident to your local wildlife emergency line.
  • Contact details here.

Bears in the NWT 

The NWT is bear country. Black bears, grizzly bears, and polar bears are found here. Bears normally avoid contact with humans, but if they or their cubs become accustomed to human food or garbage, they may lose their fear of humans and cause problems.

Encounters are most common in spring, when bears emerge from hibernation, and from late summer to fall, when they are fattening up for winter.

Bear Protection Resource:

• Safety in Bear Country

Media representatives are requested to contact:

Department of Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ecc_communications@gov.nt.ca