Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Rae Lakes (July 15/02) - The community of Wekweti has been the scene of grizzly bear sightings recently.

The settlement lies just south of the grizzly bear's primary range out on the open tundra.

No grizzly bears were seen around the community of Wekweti last year, but they appear to have returned, given the rash of sightings two weeks ago. - photo courtesy of RWED

Wildlife officers say while not unheard of, seeing grizzlies below the tree line is uncommon.

"There was about two days where they had numerous sightings," said Gord Bohnet, Dogrib area superintendent for Renewable, Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development.

"Last year we didn't have a problem, but two years ago we had a mother bear and a cub living at the dump."

The bear, or bears, have apparently since moved on, but there was a flurry of excitement in the community near the beginning of the month.

RWED officers visited Wekweti July 3 to investigate after a man encountered a grizzly at the bottom of some stairs leading to his house the day before.

By the time biologist Dean Cluff and senior wildlife officer Raymond Bourget made it into town the bear was long gone.

"The bear was a few metres from the base of the stairs," said Cluff. "A shot was fired and the bear ran off into the direction of the dump."

Bourget and Cluff paid a visit to the dump but it didn't appear the bear was foraging there, said Cluff.

"It looked like it was just passing through," he said.

Last Saturday, RWED also received a call that a black bear was in the area.

Wekweti economic development officer Marcel Petit said that from what he knows, most of the bear sightings have occurred at night.

As a consequence, people have been a little more cautious before venturing out for the evening.

"They seem to be just outside of town," said Petit.

"Some have gone right through town, and some have been seen on the outskirts.

"I guess we just have to remember we're on their territory."