Polar Bear Sightings
If you observe a polar bear, polar bear tracks, or scat in the Eeyou Marine Region please contact your Cree Trappers Association-Eeyou Marine Region Local Officer (contact info below).
For a polar bear observation, including the observation of a live bear, dead bear, den, tracks, or scat, please record the following information:
– Location of observation, including coordinates, a description, and photos if possible.
– Date and time of observation.
– Number of bears, and if possible, their sex, age, and body condition (skinny, thin, average, fat or very fat).
– Any additional information that you deem important.
For a polar bear encounter or complaint, including close encounters, camp damage, or a defense of life and property kill, please record the following information:
– All information required for a polar bear observation.
– If a bear is posing a threat to people, contact the CTA-EMR department immediately (819-977-2165 ext. 241).
– Date sighted and if relevant the date you tried deterring the bear.
– Disposition of the bear (aggressive, fearful, unresponsive to deterrents, other disposition).
– Reason for conflict (attracted to food, investigating camp, destroying equipment, endangering public, or other reasons).
– If relevant, the type of deterrent used (shouting, dogs, warning shots, flares or visual deterrents, throwing debris, airhorn or auditory deterrents, rubber bullets, or chasing with a vehicle).
– A timeline of actions taken to deter the bear.
Contact Information:
Waskaganish – Sanford Diamond – Tel: 819-895-2030 ext. 3826 – sdiamond@ctaoffice.ca
Eastmain – Vacant – Tel: 819-977-2165 ext. 241 – nlouttit@ctaoffice.ca
Wemindji – George Natawapineskum – Tel: 819-978-3200 ext. 228 – gnatawapineskum@ctaoffice.ca
Chisasibi – John Lameboy – Tel: 819-855-2202 ext. 386 – jlameboy@ctaoffice.a
Whapmagoostui – Robert E. Fireman – Tel: 819-929-3528/3419 – rfireman@ctaoffice.ca
Polar Bear Safety
To purchase polar bear deterrents visit www.margosupplies.com.
To learn about how to stay safe when you encounter a polar bear, download our Polar Bear Safety Brochure!