The Mayor of Rocky Harbour is thanking residents of the town for following precautionary measures when it comes to keeping the public safe from bears.

The town has seen the most bears ever this fall, and wildlife officials recently asked the town to keep garbage indoors until garbage day.

Mayor Tony Major says the bear problem is at its worst – to the point where wildlife officials are going to be staying overnight to monitor.

Major says there could be a couple of reasons for the attraction. One being the hunting of bears is not popular here and the other being the closure of a garbage dump.

He says an old garbage dump closed between Rocky Harbour and Norris Point, sending the bears to their community for food.