People are urged to avoid using Town pathways in the Woodhaven area after evidence of a bear was found on Friday morning.
“We went out first thing this morning and it appeared fairly fresh,” said Okotoks parks manager Christa Michailuck. “We think it has occurred since yesterday, anyway.”
So far, there have been no actual bear sightings in the community, she said.
The bear scat was found on the Woodhaven path near where it climbs out of the river valley east of the Woodhaven stairs. It was evidence enough for the Town to put out an alert, she said.
“We want people to be aware,” she said.
She said the pathways have not been closed at this time. Without an actual sighting of the animal, she said it’s uncertain if it is still in the area or was passing through.
She said it’s not unusual for there to be wildlife along the river valley area, but evidence of bears is not common.
“It is a major wildlife corridor,” she said.
She said anyone who sees a bear is asked to contact first Alberta Fish and Wildlife officers in High River at 403-652-8330. If no one is available, she people can call Okotoks RCMP at 403-995-6400.
“The person who originally sees the animal needs to be the one to make the call to Fish and Wildlife, it can’t come from a third parky like the Town,” she said.
