This is the time of year when black bears are active on the Manitoba landscape.

According to Janine Stewart of Manitoba Sustainable Development, there are black bear habitats throughout the province making it possible to spot one at any given time. She said this could be one reason behind the numerous black bear sightings in the region lately.

"Black bears are motivated by their stomach and led by their nose, and so if you're having increasing sightings being reported in an area it's most likely because the welcome mat hasn't been removed for them," explained Stewart.

She encourages residents to remove food attractants from their yards in order to deter black bears from entering the area. This includes feeding your pets indoors, removing bird feeders from April to November, keeping garbage out of reach and putting the family dog on a leash while out for a walk.

Stewart added another reason for the increased sightings could have to do with the season, noting as we move into August black bears enter a state known as Hyperphagia.

"Basically this is a greatly increased appetite because their calorie intake needs increase in preparation for winter. They need to accumulate a lot more fat on their bodies in order to survive through the winter so they will be intensely focused on finding food at this time."

She explained about 80 per cent of a black bear's diet is plant-based and includes things like berries and nuts, however they do eat insects and small mammals like moose calves and deer fawns.

Should you ever encounter a black bear, Stewart said the first thing a person should do is stop, remain calm and assess the situation, noting your response should be based on the animal's behaviour.

"So if you're encountering a bear that is unaware of your presence you can simply back away from the bear in the direction that you came from, but keep an eye on the bear in case the behaviour changes, but remove yourself from the situation."

An eight-year-old girl was attacked by a black bear near Caddy Lake last weekend when the animal swiped at the tent she was sleeping in. The girl was treated and released from hospital with cuts to her face.

More information on reducing the risk of a negative encounter with a black bear can be found on the Manitoba Sustainable Development web site.