Black bear sightings in west coast towns leads to advisory

Residents in several communities on Newfoundland'swest coast are being warned of an increase in black bear sightings.

The provincial Department ofBusiness, Tourism, Culture and Rural Developmentissued an advisory Tuesday afternoon for the communitiesof Howley, Hampden and Sop's Arm.

People in those communities are being asked to properly store and dispose garbage and not put out garbage until collection day.

If residents come into contact with black bears, the department says people should:

• Remain calm
• Give the animal space
• Back away slowly and do not run
• Avoid eye contact with the bear
• Remove any garbage or food that may have attracted the animal