Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 10/02) - A pesky bear has been rummaging through the dumpster at the Yellowknife Golf Club over the past few days.

Manager Trevor Maywood says he first noticed the bear had intruded on his premises early Saturday.

"The first I saw of him was Saturday morning when I came to work and my garbage was strewn all over the place.

"Then Sunday morning it was strewn again and I saw there was some bear scat laying in a little path, so I knew what was going on then," he said.

The bear had been sneaking in to the dumpster after the staff and golfers had left for the evening.

Maywood contacted Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development Sunday and wildlife officers installed a humane trap later that afternoon. A lock has also been installed on the door of the dumpster.

Stay clear of bear trap

Senior wildlife officer Raymond Bourget said he doesn't believe golfers are in any immediate danger.

"At this time the greatest danger is if the bear is cornered.

"A bear is there looking for food, it's attracted to the food smells from the garbage cans and the kitchen ...

"If he's cornered, like any wild animal it's dangerous, but we don't feel he is an immediate threat to people," he said.

Bourget said he is unaware of the size of the bear, but does know it is an adult.

Wildlife officers are monitoring the situation on a regular basis, checking the area to ensure there is nothing near the dumpster that might attract the bear.

"Hopefully if he doesn't get any rewards he will move on," said Bourget.

For now, he cautions anyone in the area to stay clear away from the bear trap.

"There could be a bear behind the trap attracted to the bait and then all of a sudden they're in the bear's face, so they should always stay well away from any bear traps," he said.

Last Wednesday some black bears were also spotted near River Lake on the Cameron River system, according to Bourget.

"We've had a number of reports along the Ingraham Trail, mostly focused around Cassidy Point, Madeline Lake, Prelude Lake and River Lake," he said.

Hikers and campers who run into bears should practise extreme caution and immediately contact RWED to inform wildlife officers of its location, said Bourget.

If the bear is unaware of your presence Bourget said people should quietly leave the area.

If the bear has seen you or is around your cabin, make sure to make lots of noise to scare the bear away.

"If they have deterrents they should use them -- bang pots and pans, blow horns, blow whistles -- to let the bear know that they are there and that the bear is not welcome," said Bourget.