Black bear safety

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site

Kejimkujik is home to many species, including black bears. Black bears are present in the frontcountry, backcountry and also at Kejimkujik Seaside.

The "Bare" Campsite Program

Ensure that no food, garbage, scented items or cooking equipment is left unattended.

Ten tips to respect wildlife and stay safe!

Keep a safe distance and keep your campsite clean, never feed wildlife and stay on the trails.

Monitoring large predators at Kejimkujik Seaside

Use the iNaturalist mobile app to capture your observations of wildlife at Kejimkujik and Kejimkujik Seaside.

Black bears are opportunists, always on the lookout for "easy" calories. Once they find human food or garbage (if they become food-conditioned), they continue to seek it out from backpacks, picnic tables, coolers, etc.

If they become accustomed to humans, their natural fear of people fades and they take more chances to find food rewards. These "spoiled" bears are unpredictable and may be aggressive.

Unfortunately, there is little that can be done to manage habituated, food-conditioned black bears. These bears often pay with their lives for human mistakes. The only true solution is not to create "problem bears" in the first place by making sure all food, trash and other possible bear attractants are stored properly.

All the wild animals you encounter in Kejimkujik are potentially dangerous if cornered, approached too closely, or harassed.

  • Do not feed any wildlife, and take care that your food and garbage are secured so as not to attract animals to your campsite
  • Keep pets on a leash at all times
  • Drive slowly

Report all bear sightings

Please report all bear sightings to park staff immediately.

If the bear is aggressive, threatening, lingers or does not run away

  • 1-877-852-3100

If the bear is not threatening, displays a normal fear of humans and runs away

  • 902-682-2772 or
  • 1-877-852-3100 
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