Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 19/02) - The Frame Lake Trail was closed down for an hour Wednesday afternoon after a black bear was spotted in the area.

Raymond Bourget, senior wildlife officer with the Department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, said his office received a call about the bear sometime around noon.

A motorist saw the bear cross the Yellowknife access road and head to an area near the legislative assembly.

The Frame Lake Trail was subsequently closed while wildlife officers armed with dart guns searched for the animal.

The bear was not found, and the search was called off at approximately 1:30 p.m.

"We looked over the area quite thoroughly but there's a lot of bush back there," said Bourget.

He was unsure how big the bear was, but the motorist who reported it said it appeared to be a juvenile.

Signs were later posted on the trail warning people to keep an eye out for bears.

It's been a quiet year for bear sightings within city limits, said Bourget.

So far, Wednesday's sighting marks the fourth time a bear has been spotted within city limits.

Bourget said it is likely fewer bears are coming to town this year because food is plentiful.

"There seems to be a lot of berries left over from last fall," said Bourget.

Bourget said if one encounters a bear, the best thing to do is avoid it and leave the area quietly, do not run.