Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 02/05) - Residents of Con Road had surprise visitors Tuesday evening when two black bears strolled down their street.

This is the time of year when black bears are traveling in search of food to fatten up for hibernation and find a cozy place to spend the long, cold winter. - NNSL file photo

Raymond Bourget, senior wildlife officer with the department of Environment and Natural Resources, said the two small, sub-adult bears were right in the middle of the road.

The animals fled and disappeared into the bush when Bylaw officers approached, he said, and are probably no longer in the city.

Bear sightings are common in the neighbourhood at the edge of the lake and forest land, he said.

"Bears commonly travel along that area looking for food; as they travel along, they suddenly encounter the town."

At this time of year, black bears are preparing for hibernation and "are in a state of intensive feeding. They are working very hard to put on weight for the wintertime," he said.

Bears are omnivorous and devour everything -- roots, insects, berries and meat, Bourget said.