A hiker narrowly escaped a grizzly bear charging towards them near Troll Falls in Kananaskis Country, triggering a provincial warning. The bear approached within a meter of the hiker on Monday, prompting the area to be placed on a bear warning until further notice. This advisory covers Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park, Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area, and popular trails like Stoney Trail, Skogan Pass Trail, and Hay Meadow Trail, all close to Kananaskis Village.
The warning emphasized the potential encounters with bears despite the advisory in place. John Clarke, a former conservation officer in Kananaskis Country, stressed the importance of carrying bear spray and knowing how to react if encountering wildlife. Clarke highlighted that bears are emerging from hibernation and are actively searching for food after leaving their dens in late April.
During the breeding season in late spring, bears start preparing for winter by consuming as much fat as possible. Bears in well-visited areas like K-Country, Banff, and Jasper are more accustomed to human presence due to the high number of visitors compared to more remote areas. The warning advised making noise, traveling in groups, keeping pets on a leash, carrying bear spray, and securing food in bear-proof containers.
It is recommended to report any wildlife sightings or incidents to 403-591-7755. Despite attempts to contact the Ministry of Forestry and Parks by CBC News, there was no response at the time of publication. Last summer, a bear warning was issued for all of Kananaskis Country, marking the first Kananaskis-wide bear warning since 2016.
