Bears in the Village

The Village of New Maryland is reminding residents to please be diligent and take every precaution necessary to deter bears from coming onto your property.  There have been numerous bear sightings throughout the Village this year.

Bears are attracted to homes, cottages and businesses mainly by garbage and bird feeders. Pet food, charcoal grills, fruit trees and gardens also attract them. Once a bear finds food around your home, it will likely return.

To minimize bear problems on your property:

• reduce garbage odours. Rinse food cans and wrappers before disposal;
• do not leave pet food outside;
• compost only vegetable scraps; never compose meat or fish;
• keep odorous scraps such as meat and fish in your freezer until garbage pickup day;
• wash garbage cans regularly, and use lime or baking soda to reduce odours;
• keep garbage cans in a bear-proof container or in a closed garage until the morning of pickup;
• remove bird feeders (especially those with suet) by early April, as bears come out of hibernation in spring and are particularly hungry;
• keep barbecue grills and picnic tables clean; and
• use energized electric fencing to keep bears out of beehives, gardens, fruit trees and berry patches.

The Dept. of Natural Resources website has more information and tips to avoid encounters or problems with black bears: http://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/nr-rn/pdf/en/Wildlife/BewareBlackBears.pdf

To report a bear sighting or to obtain an update regarding bear sightings in the area, please contact the Dept. of Natural Resources at 453-2345.