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Suncor Bear Training Mandatory For All Employees

This Training Now Mandatory For Some Oilsands Employees
David Cayless via Getty Images

Workers to Suncor's Alberta oilsands facilities are going to undergo a new type of training soon, one that could possibly save their lives when faced with wildlife.

Suncor has made bear training mandatory, after employee Lorna Weafer was killed in a bear attack last May.

According to Global News, the company Bear Safety & More will be in charge of the training.

“It’s good to see something proactive come out of the tragic loss of Lorna Weafer on a Suncor site," Kim Titchener, founder of Bear Safety & More, told the Calgary Herald.

Weafer, 36, was killed by a black bear after coming out of a washroom in a busy industrial area. Her co-workers attempted to save her by sounding air horns, but were unable to deter the bear.

None of the workers were carrying bear spray or weapons.

At the time, officials said the attack appeared predatory and that the bear wasn't provoked. They also said there wasn't any evidence of food or other bear attractants near the site.

Suncor spokeswoman Sneh Seetal says the training will be mandatory for all employees working in or visiting the oilsands region, and will begin March 31, 2015.

Alberta Environment estimates there are more than 40,000 black bears in the province.

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