A hiker narrowly escaped a charging grizzly bear encounter close to the popular Troll Falls hiking spot in Kananaskis Country, as per a provincial alert issued. The bear came within a meter of the hiker on Monday, prompting a bear warning in effect for the area until further notice.
The warning encompasses Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, including well-known hiking trails like Stoney Trail, Skogan Pass Trail, and Hay Meadow Trail near Kananaskis Village. Officials emphasized that although an advisory is in place, bear encounters can happen at any time.
John Clarke, a former conservation officer in Kananaskis Country and founder of the Canadian Bear Safety Authority, advised that individuals venturing into wildlife-populated areas should always carry bear spray and be knowledgeable about animal encounters. Clarke highlighted the importance of understanding bear behavior, noting that bears emerging from hibernation in late April are primarily focused on finding food.
During breeding season in late spring, bears begin preparing for winter by consuming significant amounts of fat. Clarke pointed out that bears in well-visited areas like K-Country, Banff, and Jasper are more habituated to human presence due to frequent interactions compared to more remote locations.
The bear warning suggests precautionary measures such as making noise, traveling in groups, keeping pets leashed, carrying bear spray, and storing food securely in bear-proof containers. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to report wildlife sightings or incidents to 403-591-7755.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Ministry of Forestry and Parks by CBC News before publication were unsuccessful. Notably, Kananaskis Country was placed under a comprehensive bear warning last summer, marking the first Kananaskis-wide alert since 2016.
