Rude Awakening: Deer Breaks Into Ontario Bedroom Through Window

Startled residents in a southwestern Ontario town had an unexpected wildlife encounter this weekend when a frightened deer smashed through a ground-floor apartment bedroom window.

Police officers were responding to an unrelated call at an apartment complex in the northwest end of Owen Sound when they saw a deer wander into the building’s parking lot.

The deer was frightened by nearby activity and the screaming of residents, prompting it to crash through the bedroom window of a ground floor apartment inhabited by two women, one of whom was asleep in the room, the Owen Sound Police Service said in a May 31 press release.

The officers evacuated the women and opened the patio door to create a wider escape route for the animal. Police offered “gentle encouragement” to direct the deer toward the open door, but the animal decided to escape on its own by leaping back through the window it had entered, according to the release.

“One of the residents sustained minor scrapes to her arm, but her bedroom suffered significant damage,” police said. “The deer appeared uninjured – just a little embarrassed.”

Owen Sound police said residents should remain calm and keep a safe distance if they encounter wildlife in residential areas.

Bear Warnings

Meanwhile, visitors to Alberta’s mountain parks are being advised to take precautions following a recent rise in bear sightings.

A bear warning was issued last week in Banff National Park after “a cinnamon-coloured black bear exhibited concerning behaviour” by closely approaching and then trailing a hiker.

There were also several closures and warnings issued in Kananaskis Country over the past few weeks due to “multiple bears in the area.” Warnings were issued for the Terrace Trail and Kovach Ski Trails in Spray Lakes Provincial Park as well as for the Heart Creek Trail, Heart Creek Bunker Trail, and Trans Canada Trail due to sightings of black bears, some accompanied by cubs.

Alberta Parks also issued a warning for the section of Highway 40 from Highwood Pass to Highwood Junction on May 17 until further notice.

“Grizzly bears, and other wildlife, are currently utilizing the highway as a travel corridor to avoid the snow pack at higher elevations,” Alberta Parks said. “Hikers and cyclists should plan their route accordingly and remember to give wildlife space during this critical feeding time.”

All current warnings and closures for Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country can be found online at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley.