After two close calls involving bears, tips on how to keep yourself safe
Posted Jul 21, 2016 1:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Those headed into Alberta’s great outdoors are being asked to take caution after two bear attacks in the past couple days.
Trappers Hill campground, west of highway 40 along the TransAlta road, right up to Banff National Park remains closed to recreational users after the first incident near Waiporous Lake.
And what prompted a black bear to attack a woman on the lowline trail in Canmore Wednesday is still under investigation.
Public affairs officer Brendan Cox said that if you’re headed out into back country, it’s key to have bear spray.
“It should be in a location that you can access it very quickly, like a holster or something,” Cox said. “It’s not very useful to have it zipped away in a backback or something because then it’s going to be very difficult for you to get to it.”
If you do encounter a bear, make more noise, back away slowly and find a more populated area.
“If it’s a black bear, I would recommend yelling at it, trying to make yourself appear larger, backing away slowly,” Cox added in a worst case scenario. “Try to put obstacles between yourself and the animal.”
“If it (the bear) is closing distance quickly and acting aggressively, then play dead.”
He also added that people should not wear headphones, so they are able to hear any wildlife approach.
For all the warnings currently in place in recreational areas, click here.
