OTTAWA -- High population density is a feature of most Group of Seven capitals -- but Ottawa stands out among its international peers these days with an unusual demographic situation: a sudden influx of bears.

Black bear sightings surged of late in Canada's national capital region. Conservation officials say they've already had to round up more than 30 of the large mammals roaming urban areas since the start of the month.

From a human's perspective, the bears have been getting into mischief. Locals have seen them wandering along leafy residential streets, nosing through backyard compost containers and one was even spotted rambling the alleys of Ottawa's touristy ByWard Market.

Many of the wayward animals, including the one affectionately nicknamed "ByWard Bear," were seen or scooped up within a few kilometres ofParliament Hill.

"We've been getting a lot of calls," said veteran conservation specialist Richard Moore, who fired the tranquilizer darts last week that eventually neutralized ByWard Bear as it clung to a downtown tree.

"It's not abnormal to have black bears around urban lands, we get them every once in a while... especially in the fall when it's time to put some fat on."

This year, however, has been unusually busy.

Since the start of September, over 50 bear sightings -- more than three per day -- have been reported in and around the region. Most of them were spotted just across the Ottawa River in the Quebec city of Gatineau, said Moore, who's the manager of conservation services for the National Capital Commission.

Canada's capital region is surrounded by forests and the