Provincial police are on the lookout for a black bear after receiving reports of one wandering around the Kilworth-area.
Middlesex OPP were called about the bear by a concerned citizen on Thursday morning.
"We can't confirm that there was an actual bear in the area but we have no reason to dispute the person that reported it," says OPP Sergeant Dave Rektor. "We are telling people just to be cautious. If they see a bear, stay away from it and contact police or the Ministry of Natural Resources immediatly."
In recent weeks, black bear sightings have been reported in Lambton and Wellington counties.
"Bears are attracted to natural forested areas and there are very few of those areas left like that in southern Ontario," says Rektor. "They travel great distances in search for food and habitat, so they might be seen in one area but can travel many kilometres in a couple of hours."
Rektor says there are steps residents can take to prevent bears from paying an unwanted visit.
"Don't leave food or open garbage outside. Bears become a nuisance when they learn they can get food from a non-natural source and then they venture into backyards," says Rektor.
Black bear attacks on humans are considered extremely rare, but can happen if the animal feels threatened.
