Officers say a bear spotted in Vermillion Park last night is not a reason to panic, but rather to be cautious.
A black bear was reported wandering through Dauphin's park around 8:30 last night.
Animal Control Officer Todd Tarrant says the bear was likely just looking for food after hibernation.
"They wander down rivers, right? Down rivers where there's any kind of fish or foraging food they can forage. But usually, once a bear comes into town and we don't ever see them again. They just keep going wherever it is they were going in."
While black bears are typically pretty timid creatures, you are still advised to stay away from them and call for help.
"Just don't try to think you can take pictures of the bear and think you can be friends with a bear because they are wild animals. please try to stay away from these wild animals, and do not be in any confrontation with wild animals," Tarrant says. "Just quietly, not running, get back in your vehicle and let the RCMP or myself or Manitoba Conservation know as soon as you can."
Animal Control did initially take the call about the bear reports, but Manitoba Conservation ended up handling it.
Conservation Officer Grant Zeiler says they did not end up taking the bear anywhere, as it was leaving town anyways, heading south.
