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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Bears are back and looking for food sources, and officials with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) are asking residents to take precautions.

Carl Lafferty, manager of wildlife and environment with ENR, is encouraging Fort Simpson residents to report bear sightings to the wildlife emergency line that's open for calls until the end of September. So far things have been quiet in the village, Lafferty said.

As of May 22, ENR staff have only had to destroy one problem bear. Crews working at the ferry crossing reported a mature female bruin hanging around the area while they were preparing to launch the ferry.

"She'd completely lost all her fear," said Lafferty, even of heavy equipment.

The bear was killed on May 15.

Last year 12 problem bears were destroyed in Fort Simpson along with one in Trout Lake, one in Nahanni Butte and two in Jean Marie River for a total of 16. In 2007, 19 were destroyed in the village.

Killing bears isn't something ENR staff take lightly, said Lafferty. He said he's heard of instances where people haven't reported bears because they think it means the animal will be immediately destroyed.

With every new case ENR staff follow a decision-making process to determine what to do so their actions are consistent. It's not a matter of arbitrarily killing bears, said Lafferty.

"The bear's behavior dictates what we're going to do," he said.

Staff often face criticism from the public and it would be nice if people were more understanding about why the death of a bear is sometimes necessary, said Lafferty.

"Some people have a soft spot for wildlife. I have a soft spot for people and public safety," he said.

To keep the public safe and minimize human interaction with bears, Lafferty advised people shouldn't walk alone early in the morning or late at night or they should walk in groups. He also recommended that residents put their garbage out the night before pick-up or the same morning.

In the spring there isn't a lot available for bears to eat and they are looking for all available food sources, Lafferty said. Once a bear gets into garbage and learns to associate that as a food source they become a problem, he said.

People need to remain vigilant of their safety and the safety of others, said Lafferty.

On the island, bears often frequent the papal flats near the ball diamond and campground because the forest cover gives them a corridor into the village, but bear sightings aren't limited to one area of Fort Simpson.

"Nothing surprises me around town anymore," said Lafferty.

When people are reporting a bear they should mention any distinctive markings it might have so staff can identify it, Lafferty said.

Other information about bears and bear safety can be found in the booklet Safety in Grizzly and Black Bear Country, which is available at ENR offices.