August was a deadly month on Highway 400 for bears.
Southern Georgian Bay OPP say a mother bear was hit by a tractor trailer last Tuesday morning in the northbound lanes of Highway 400 near South Bay Road in Georgian Bay Township.
Three young cubs were left to fend for themselves.
The cubs were safely trapped by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and officers at the scene and taken to a wildlife rehab centre. The young bears will be released into the wild next spring.
OPP say at least 40 bears were struck and killed by vehicles on Highway 400 between Honey Harbour and Parry Sound last month.
Experts have various theories on the cause of the bears wandering outside their traditional areas, but motorists need to be mindful that wildlife collisions do happen. Police say motorists need to drive within the posted speed limits, scan well ahead for possible wildlife on the shoulder/ditch or roadway and use proper headlamps giving regard to other motorists nearby as wildlife never wear reflective suits and are unlikely to give way to a vehicle if encountered on a roadway.
Banner image supplied by OPP