CHRIS LOWREY
SHAWVILLE Sept. 12, 2018
Residents of Shawville can’t be blamed for keeping their picnic baskets close at hand as an unwelcome visitor stopped into town on the weekend.
Several residents took to social media to warn their neighbours that a light-coloured bear was wandering around a residential area.
One video on social media appears to show a bear climbing a tree in a backyard.
The Quebec Ministry of Flora, Fauna and Parks said they received calls from concerned residents.
“The officers have all of these reports and have followed up with the citizens concerned,” a ministry representative said in an email. “In some cases, they have increased their presence.”

One resident commented on social media that another bear, with a darker complexion, was seen the night before. This led some to think that there may be more than one bear in the area.
The ministry also warned residents never to feed a bear, store all food and trash out of the reach of bears and to make sure items like trash cans and outdoor grills are kept clean so the smell won’t attract bears.
Additionally, the ministry warns people never to approach black bears, don’t shout or make sudden movements, talk to the bear in a soft voice and slowly back away. If the bear follows you, face it and try and look imposing by waving your arms above your head or bang a stick against a tree trunk or the ground.
Playing dead is not recommended nor is climbing a tree as bears are adept climbers.
If you see a bear within the Shawville town limits you can call 1-800-463-2191, 24/7.