A group of hikers from Australia had quite the memorable experience while trekking through Canada’s picturesque Banff National Park when a pair of grizzly bears closely followed their trail for a nerve-racking 20-minutes. At times the grizzlies approached within 50 feet of the hikers.
The following footage was taken around Consolation Lake as their guide encouraged the group to remain calm and not run (running can trigger a pursuit with grizzly bears) which was particularly difficult given the younger of the two bears repeatedly launched bluff charges. Thankfully they maintained their composure and reached the trailhead without incident where the bears gave up interest and left them alone. Hats off to their guide Phoebe Nicholson who did not panic in the presence of the apex predators and relied on her training to safely shepherd her guests out of harms way.
Parks Canada Bear Safety Guide:
The Canadian Rocky and Columbia Mountains are home to both grizzly and black bears. You can run into a bear anywhere here, be it on a busy trail close to town or in the remote backcountry. Bears generally prefer to avoid people. However, encounters between bears and people do occur. Bears may bluff their way out of an encounter by charging and then turning away at the last second. Bears may also react defensively by woofing, growling, snapping their jaws and laying their ears back.
- Stay calm. Your calm behaviour can reassure the bear. Screams or sudden movements may trigger an attack.
- Speak to the bear. Talk calmly and firmly. This lets the bear know you are human and not a prey animal. If a bear rears on its hind legs and waves its nose about, it is trying to identify you.
- Back away slowly. Never run! Running may trigger a pursuit.
- Make yourself appear BIG. Pick up small children and stay in a group.
- Do not drop your pack. It can provide protection.
