Black bear tranquillized and moved from Kanata after morning sighting
Ottawa police and conservation officers removed a black bear from the Morgan's Grant area of Kanata on Thursday, and are asking residents to take down bird feeders as bears search for food before winter.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on ottawa.citynews.ca.
Ottawa police received a report of a black bear in a backyard in the Morgan's Grant area of Kanata on Thursday morning, and by mid-afternoon conservation officers had tranquillized the animal and relocated it. CityNews Ottawa reported the bear was first spotted just after 9 a.m. and moved through Kanata North before being safely removed.
Ottawa Police Service tracked the bear as it moved from the Morgan's Grant Woods Park area through the neighbourhood, reaching Kanata North near Klondike and March roads. Officers asked residents to keep their distance, not approach the animal, and give it space to move through the area. Just after 3 p.m., police confirmed the bear had been tranquillized and was on its way to a safer location.
Why bears appear in Kanata in October
CityNews Ottawa reported that black bears are not uncommon in Ottawa at this time of year. In October, bears are building up their body weight before winter hibernation. They search actively for food, and suburban areas with bird feeders, unsecured garbage, fallen fruit and pet food outside can draw them in.
Ottawa Police are asking residents to remove bird feeders from their backyards during this period. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources also recommends securing garbage containers, bringing pet food inside, and picking up fallen fruit from yards to reduce attractants.
What to do if you see a bear
The Ministry of Natural Resources says residents should back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight. If it does not leave, make noise by yelling, using a whistle or an air horn. Get inside a building or vehicle if one is nearby. Drop any food you are carrying and move away from it. Do not run, do not climb a tree, and do not make direct eye contact with the bear.
If a bear is in a tree, leave the area. The bear will come down when it feels safe. The ministry says to play dead only if attacked by a mother bear protecting her cubs.
Calling for help
Ottawa residents who see a bear moving through a backyard, near garbage, or roaming a residential street should call the Ottawa Police Service non-emergency line at 613-236-1222. For a bear that poses an immediate threat to a person, call 911. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry also takes wildlife reports at 1-800-667-1940.
Gatineau Park posted a video in recent weeks showing a mother bear and her cubs, reminding people near the park to share the roads and give bears space as they prepare for winter.
Residents in Kanata and other Ottawa neighbourhoods near green space can reduce the chance of a visit by taking down bird feeders now and keeping garbage secured until pickup day.
Questions this story answers
Where was the bear spotted in Ottawa on October 29, 2026?
Ottawa police first received a report of the black bear in a backyard in the Morgan's Grant Woods Park area of Kanata just after 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 29. About two hours later, the bear had moved to Kanata North, near Klondike and March roads. Police kept residents updated as they tracked its location throughout the morning and early afternoon.
What happened to the bear?
Around 3 p.m. on October 29, Ottawa police and conservation officers tranquillized the bear and transported it to what officials called a safer location. CityNews Ottawa reported that the bear was not harmed during the removal. The Ottawa Police Service posted updates on the situation throughout the day, thanking residents for giving the animal space.
Why are bears appearing in Ottawa neighbourhoods in October?
Black bears are not uncommon in Ottawa, particularly in suburban areas near green space, at this time of year. In October, bears are searching for food to build up their body weight before winter hibernation. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says common things that draw bears into residential areas include garbage, ripe fruit, bird feeders, and pet food left outside.
What should Ottawa residents do to keep bears away from their homes?
Ottawa police are asking residents to remove bird feeders from backyards during this period. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources also recommends securing garbage so it cannot be reached, bringing in pet food, and picking up any fallen fruit from your yard. These steps reduce the chance that a bear will enter your property in search of food.
What should you do if you see a bear in Ottawa?
If a bear is moving through a backyard or roaming near garbage, call Ottawa's non-emergency police line rather than approaching the animal. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources says you should back away slowly while keeping the bear in sight, make noise if it does not leave, and get inside a building or vehicle if one is nearby. Do not run, do not make direct eye contact, and do not try to feed the animal.
Are black bear sightings common in Ottawa?
Black bears do appear in Ottawa, especially in areas near parks and green space like Kanata. Gatineau Park, just across the river from Ottawa, posted a video of a mother bear with cubs in recent weeks reminding the public to share the roads and give wildlife space. Bears are more active and visible in the fall as they look for food before hibernating.
Who responded to the bear sighting in Kanata?
Ottawa Police Service officers responded throughout the morning and tracked the bear's movements in the Morgan's Grant and Kanata North areas. Conservation officers assisted in tranquillizing and relocating the animal. CityNews Ottawa reported the joint response and confirmed the bear was safely moved by mid-afternoon on October 29.
What is the Ottawa Police Service's non-emergency line for reporting a bear?
If you see a black bear in Ottawa and it is not an immediate emergency, call the Ottawa Police Service non-emergency line. Ottawa's non-emergency number is 613-236-1222. If a person is in immediate danger from a bear, call 911. The Ministry of Natural Resources also operates a general wildlife reporting service at 1-800-667-1940.
Sources
The pages this story draws on. Open one to check a claim yourself.
Found an error? Tell the editors with the corrections form. A correction is noted on the story it changes. Read our standards.
