The executive chef at a southwest Calgary restaurant says he plans to take a closer look the next time he steps out behind the eatery after seeing a bear there on Sunday night.
“My dishwasher came in and said, ‘There’s a bear out back,’ and I kind of laughed and said, ‘A bear? Like a real bear?’ recalled Josh Bonfield, who works at 1600 World Bier Haus Restaurant in Glenmore Landing.
Bonfield said when he went to take a look, the bear was inching curiously close to the dumpsters by the eatery.
Bonfield said he wasn’t scared but plans to have a closer look next time before heading outside.
“I will send two people out rather than just one on the chance there is something back there.”
A handful of bear sightings around Glenmore Landing in the southwest part of the city have prompted Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials to issue a warning for people to exercise caution when walking around in the area.
READ MORE: Bear spotted in Calgary shopping centre Sunday, residents urged to avoid area
Matt Michaud, an officer with Alberta Fish and Wildlife, said it’s not unusual for bears to be in the area and doesn’t see the need to intervene.
“It ended up in the wrong spot and at the wrong time, just drawn in by a scent or pushed by pedestrians on the path or something unintentionally.”
Businesses and residents in the general area are being asked to keep garbage contained in an effort to reduce attractants for the bears.