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Screen Capture Via Nishnawbe Aksi Police Service YouTube
A hungry polar bear found to be making multiple visits and stalking a school in northern Ontario has been killed.
On March 13, the Nishnawbe Aksi Police Service located in Peawanuck was notified about a bear being seen near the local school.
When police arrived at the school, the start of their investigation was easy as they found large paw prints around the schoolyard.
The bear was seen in another part of town while police were at the school, and an investigation into that sighting made it clear that the bear was heading back towards the school.
Local police then contacted local wildlife experts and learned the bear was exhibiting stalking behaviour and was very likely treating people, specifically children, in the area as potential prey.
“(We) makes every effort to preserve wildlife through the course of its duties,” said the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service in a release. “An animal is only ever dispatched when it becomes a real and imminent threat to community safety, and no other reasonable course of action exists.”
A search led to the bear’s den being found in a wooded area within the community, and this combined with the abnormal behaviour displayed by the bear led to the conclusion that the bear was treating the First Nation as its hunting grounds and its citizens as prey.
After it was determined that the bear was dangerous, police consulted with community Elders and all parties agreed that dispatching the animal was in the best interest of public safety.
When the animal was killed officers and local community members involved performed a traditional prayer ceremony.
Although the bear had to be killed nothing is going to waste. The meat will be used to feed local community members, and Elders will harvest the pelt and other items to be used in traditional crafts and ceremonies.
Peawanuck, Ontario – Screen Capture Google Maps
