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Port Perry SEPTEMBER 2004 lthough earlier reports had Aisndicated that the black bear potted in town at Main Street and Ninth Line was lust "passing through". Whitchurch-Stouffville This Month has learned that the bear. Ursi. his mate Ursa and their two cubs have decided to make Stouffville their permanent home. When spotted at the busy west end intersection on lune 2. the hear was actually on his way to the Mattamy Sales Office on Ninth Line South to buy a house. Earlier that morning he had been checking out potential lots in the Madori development north of Elm Roadr We asked Ursi why he chose Stouffville. He smiled. 'MacDonalds. ‘We think the bears will make very good neighbours: says less Parker of the MNR's South Central Office. ‘Relatively few people are eaten by bears And since the bears will be hibematlng for five months of the year. they will be much quieter than human neighbours." The Ursis are moving to Stouffville from northern York Region, where rapidly expanding development is consuming their habitat. They are being re-settled here under the Ministry of Natural Resources' Bear Urbanization Relocation Program (BURPl. which provides a one time grant to each bear family to purchase a home in an urban setting. The Ministry expects hundreds of bears to take advantage of the program. since once the Region is fully built out, they will have nowhere else to live So. what can residents having a family of beats living next door expect? 11471-9"! Line (mm Ave.) 905 640-1819 CHEPACK’S COUNTRY MARKET W c. W a. Comm. LLB. BUTTON, ARMSTRONG 8L NESS 0 Real Estate 0 Mile 5 Estates - Litigation: 0 Corporate . Family Law Eric R. Button. 8A.. LLB Gordon c. Meet, 0.0. By [Ill McWhinnle BMW I soucn'ons Export uni Sonia 81m 1090 , Utsl and Ursa are looking forward to establishing a number of businesses on Harvey's, Swiss' Chalet. Up north. we only get that food after it's thrown out. Humans think bears like eating their half rotten leftâ€"overs. That‘s nonsense. Do you feed your children garbage?" The Ursis were also attracted to the natural recreational opportunities in the area â€" especially Bruce's Mill. "The cubs love picnics," says Ursi. The MNR is optimistic that the species integration of bears and humans will be a win -win situation, "Humans can learn a lot from bears," says Parker. "In laboratory settings assessing certain types of intelligence bears have actually scored higher than - humans!" Parker is confident that the bears will adapt easily to life in an urban setting and will quicklyachieve independence. "Bears are natural entrepreneurs. which is a good fit for'va small town hoping to revive local business.“ Bears to settle in Stouffville ANNUAL FALL «é FESTIVAL September 19 Bird feeder making workshop ( l2 or 2 pm). Register for $3 kit. Sample Bethesda-Reach Women‘s Institute home baked goodies and refreshments. Proceeds to Uxbridge Sunrise Parenting Support Services and Durham Farm Rural Family Resources. Redeem September Dollars Sept. 1 - 30 "Goodwood $3 Gardens wwwgoqdwoodgardenscom Stouffvllle's Main Street. in which they will employ other bears as they relocate into Stouffville. Ursa will operate Bearskin. an aesthetics parlour offering a wide range of ’skln care services, and also plans to establish Bear Necessities, a quaint lifestyle shop which will sell bearâ€"themed crafts and collectibles. Ursi is looking for Main Street space to house an upscale tobacconist â€" Smokey the, Bear â€" and will also open (”HMO-‘52 378 hwy ‘7. I km east of sum the same! year on women! focus and concentrate "natural!!! SAVE 10% BAGK T0 BISIES mmmum SAVE 30% WHITCHURCH-STOUFFVILLE THIS MONTH - 19 010' a licensed steakhouse -â€" Hungry as a Bear -â€" In the former Latcham Gallery location. Encouraged by his glowing reports about our fair town, several bears of Ursi's acquaintance will soon be moving to Stouffvillle. He says they are looking forward to making human fn’ends and participating in community events. especially the Strawbeary Festival. We urge you all to make them welcome! SaleEndsSem.18/04 (9.5) (MI-IO“