ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Three bears have been shot in the past week in eastern Newfoundland as local residents try to deal with animals that have lost their main source of food.
Wildlife officials say bears have become a problem in Gambo, Glovertown, Traytown and Clarenville ever since a number of municipal dumps were closed.
Residents say the bears are looking for food, but their search is bringing them into contact with people far too often.
Clarenville resident Donald Pelley, a former wildlife officer, says the bears shouldn't be shot.
However, he says if they're tranquilized and taken into the woods, they'll only wander out again looking for food.
Provincial ecologist Casidhe (CA-sidd-ee) Dyke says attacks on humans are rare.
Dyke says residents should be more careful about putting food in their garbage.
(VOCM)
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