If you see a bear in your backyard, there’s some steps you should take to make sure it leaves safely

If you see a bear, it may not always warrant a call to police.

That’s according to Jolanta Kowalski of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, who says only call 911 if it’s an emergency situation.

Kowalski adds you shouldn’t panic.

Kowalski adds that you should remove bird feeders and keep garbage indoors to avoid attracting bears, whether you’re at a cottage or in a residential neighbourhood.