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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - A recent spike in bear activity in Fort Simpson has led wildlife officials to remind residents to take appropriate precautions.

On July 28, renewable resource officers destroyed a bear that had been the source of nuisance complaints for more than a week. The Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) office in Fort Simpson was receiving an average of two calls a day about the bear, said Carl Lafferty, the acting regional superintendent for ENR.

The bear was located in Nogha Heights where it was destroyed.

While taking samples from the bear for testing, officers determined it was a very old bear, said Lafferty.

"This is the kind of bear we're concerned about," he said.

The bear was reaching an age where it could have had trouble gathering enough food for itself and may have soon become desperate, said Lafferty.

Residents need to be aware that bears like this are in the area and that they need to exercise caution.

In particular, Lafferty cautions against walking or hiking alone.

So far this year, fewer bears than average have had to be destroyed.

The old bear was the fourth to be put down in Fort Simpson compared to an average of 12 to 15 animals usually destroyed by this time of the year.

Lafferty said he doesn't have a concrete reason for why problem bear numbers have been lower, but noted that it might not last.

Over the past three weeks there's been negligible amounts of rain in the area. Within the next week it will become apparent if the lack of rainfall has affected the berry crop, said Lafferty.

With less to eat, more bears may come looking for an easy meal, he said.

The white berries are out on the red osier dogwood, a plant with red willow-like stems, and people should be cautious while walking near them, said Lafferty.

There are a number of bears known to be around the village.

A mother with three cubs has been spotted near the snye and Bannockland. So far there haven't been any complaints about her, said Lafferty.

Two bears were seen walking near the Papal site on July 28 at 5 p.m. and one call was made that night about a bear hanging around Nogha Heights.

Every incident involving a nuisance bear is treated seriously, said Lafferty. Destroying a bear, however, is only done if there are no other options, he said.