May, 2005 - Nr. 5
PROVINCE OPENS NEW CHAPTER IN BEAR WISE PROGRAM
Launches Electronic Educational
Book
About Black Bears
TIMMINS — Helping young people be bear wise and bear safe is the goal of an educational web-based book launched today by Natural Resources Minister David Ramsay in a Timmins classroom.
"We are building on the success of last year's Bear Wise program and making learning about black bears fun for students," said Ramsay. "By sharing what they've learned with their family and friends, we'll have fewer bear problems and that means safer communities."
Designed for kids between the ages of 10 and 14, the e-book highlights facts about black bears, ways to avoid bear problems and includes mini-movies of bears in action. The ministry is distributing the book to schools in a mini-CD format. It will be available shortly on the ministry's bear website at
bears.mnr.gov.on.ca.Now in its second year, the Bear Wise program aims to reduce human-bear conflicts through education and awareness, reporting, response and prevention.
People who have bear problems, or want more information about bears, can call the Bear Wise toll-free line at 1-866-514-2327, 24 hours a day, seven days a week from April 1 to November 30, 2005.
For emergency bear situations, call 911 or local police.
