Bears out and about in Whitehorse, say wildlife officials

Black bears and grizzly bears are out of hibernation in the Yukon, and conservation officers are already getting calls about bears in Whitehorse neighbourhoods.

"We received a report to our tipline over the weekend about a bear in Porter Creek and our conservation officers are currently looking into it," said Environment Yukon spokesperson Melissa Madden.

Madden says the bear knocked over some garbage cans.She says the situation wasn't serious, but people should still be careful if they see a bear.

Last year in Whitehorse, the department logged42 encounters with bears. Four bears were re-located and one had to be put down. Another two bears were killed by members of the public in self-defence.