Seemingly now more than ever, social media has been ignited by photos of the furry creatures roaming around virtually every corner of the Sault, made most evident in the Facebook group "SSM Bear Watch."
In just the last three days, black bears have been spotted from the backyards of quiet east-end neighbourhoods to high-traffic areas like Trunk and Great Northern roads, while others have been photographed all the way out on Fourth Line and beyond city limits.Last Wednesday, officials at Kiwedin Public School and Holy Cross Early Learning witnessed bears enter their property, which prompted both schools to hold recess indoors and issue an email to parents.
Because the last couple of summers have been drier on record, Artuso suspects the drought-like conditions have made the bears more desperate for food, prompting them to move deeper into the city as they search for resources. Last year, residents were horrified when they learned a bear cub that frequented the east end with its mother and sibling had been struck by a vehicle on Lake Street.