The territorial government says it's been receiving reports of a black bear near Giant Mine over the past two weeks.
"The bear has been observed by members of the public and has been engaged in natural foraging behaviour SA国际影视传媒� feeding on vegetation as it prepares for hibernation," reads an Aug. 12 statement from the Department of Environment and Climate Change (ECC).
That statement also mentions that a wildlife officer previously responded to a report of a black bear in that area.
"Upon noticing the patrol truck, the bear left immediately SA国际影视传媒� this is the kind of natural, avoidant behaviour we want to see in wildlife," the news release states.
Because the bear is close to a popular fishing spot and a boat launch, wildlife officers placed temporary signs nearby as a precaution.
The department also reminds people to keep the community clean and free of attractants to reduce bear encounters. If anyone sees a bear in the area, they can call the North Slave Wildlife Emergency Line at 867-446-2073.
Dryden Choban, manager of the Yellowknife Historical Museum, said it's been about a week since he last saw what appeared to be a teenage black bear roaming in the area.
He also noted that wildlife officers placed a live trap for the animal in the Great Slave Sailing ClubSA国际影视传媒檚 parking lot.
"No one's seen it in a few days, so hopefully it's scared off," he said, noting the bear never appeared aggressive.
When bears find human food or garbage in the vicinity of people, it increases the risk of negative encounters, ECC stated.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey are more likely to stay close to people and less likely to stay in the wild,SA国际影视传媒� the statement reads.
The department added that human encounters with bears are most common in spring, when the animals begin emerging, and late summer through fall when theySA国际影视传媒檙e fattening up for winter.
