A black bear was put down near N.J. MacPherson School in Yellowknife on Sunday evening.
The bear was first reported on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. in the Finlayson Drive and Kam Lake Road area, the department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) says in an email.
The bear was found at a nearby apartment complex eating from a dumpster.
Officers waited until the bear was in an area clear of people before putting it down at approximately 11 p.m.
Several RCMP officers were also on scene.
ENR says the when a bear becomes habituated to human activity, including garbage, it can be dangerous and unpredictable.
This was the second reported sighting of a black bear in Yellowknife over the weekend. ENR says it received a call on Saturday evening reporting a black bear sighting in the Frame Lake area.
Wildlife officers were unable to locate the bear, which moved into the open area behind Con Mine.
ENR says it is aware of reports of “gunshots” Saturday night, but adds officers didn’t discharge a weapon or bear banger on Saturday.
ENR says it isn’t possible to confirm whether the bear killed on Sunday evening was the same bear reported on Saturday.
Bear sightings or any other wildlife emergencies can be reported to ENR by calling 867-873-7181.
