Hiker suffers just minor injuries after bear attack in Canmore
Posted Jul 20, 2014 5:09 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A man is lucky to have just minor injuries after a surprising bear attack in Canmore.
Around 9:00 p.m. Saturday night on a popular trail behind Quarry Lake along a power line, the hiker was taking pictures of birds and didn’t notice the brown-coloured bear until they were face-to-face about five metres apart.
Fish and Wildlife Officer David Dickson said the bear made a run for it in his direction.
“The bear had taken a swipe at or possibly bitten the individual, I’m leaning towards a swipe or hit, because the jacket was torn and there’s no corresponding bite marks,” Dickson said.
“It wasn’t a predatory or an aggressive attack, it was more along the lines of defensive behaviour, the bear made contact and just kept on running.”
There had been a warning of a bear in the general area and Dickson reminds hikers that berries are starting to ripen and groups should be three or more making noise and carrying bear spray.
An area along the power line has been closed, as well as all the trails accessing the area.
