A hiker narrowly avoided a grizzly bear charging at them close to Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country, prompting a bear warning in the area. The incident occurred on Monday, prompting officials to issue a bear warning covering Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park and Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, along with popular trails like Stoney Trail, Skogan Pass Trail, and Hay Meadow Trail near Kananaskis Village.
Authorities emphasized the importance of being prepared in wildlife areas, advising hikers to carry bear spray and be knowledgeable about how to handle encounters with animals. Wildlife expert John Clarke highlighted the typical behaviors of bears, emphasizing the need for caution if a bear follows a hiker, especially during the current period when bears are actively seeking food after emerging from hibernation in late April.
During the breeding season in late spring, bears in well-visited areas like K-Country, Banff, and Jasper become accustomed to human presence due to the high volume of visitors. As fall approaches, bears start preparing for winter by consuming as much fat as possible.
To enhance safety, the bear warning suggests making noise while hiking, traveling in groups, keeping pets leashed, carrying bear spray, and storing food securely in bear-proof containers. It also encourages reporting wildlife sightings or incidents to the designated hotline.
Despite attempts to reach out to the Ministry of Forestry and Parks for comments, no response was received at the time of publication. Last summer, a similar bear warning was issued across all of Kananaskis Country for the first time since 2016, indicating the need for heightened vigilance in bear-populated areas.
