The provincial government has issued a warning following reports of black bears in the west coast community of Pasadena.

Residents are being asked to do their part to avoid attracting black bears.

That includes ensuring garbage is stored and disposed of properly – including not placing it outside until collection day, removing any fallen fruit from the ground, not leaving food outside for animals, not placing food or garbage in compost bins, ensuring outdoor cooking utensils are clean, and when hunting to be careful of where they dispose of animal carcasses.

People should also keep their pets inside or under close supervision in areas where black bears have been sighted.

If someone encounters a bear, how they should react depends on if the bear has seen or smelled them.

If unnoticed, the person should back away quietly and leave the area, try to stay downwind of the animal, keep an eye on it, and never go near a bear’s cubs.

If seen, the person should remain calm and avoid direct eye contact, back away – but do not run, give the bear space, and if a person must speak they should do so calmly and firmly.

Meanwhile, the Department of Forestry says there are between 6,000 and 10,000 black bears on the island, and while sightings have increased there is nothing to suggest population levels have changed.