ALBERTA, Canada – Alberta’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that a man was badly mauled by a bear while hiking in the Crowsnest Pass on Friday, September 13. The hiker was reportedly with one another when the mauling occurred in the Allison Creek Road area northwest of Coleman.
The man, in his 40s, was transported out of the area by air ambulance after a Garmin SOS signal was sent out, with RCMP being alerted to the situation around 1:20 p.m. The man was taken to Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. It’s unknown whether or not the bear was a grizzly bear or a black bear.
According to the RCMP, this is the second bear mauling in around a month in the Canadian province. In late August, an elk hunter northwest of Calgary was left with non-life-threatening injuries after a grizzly sow with cubs mauled him. In that case, the man was eventually able to spray the animal with bear spray.
Alberta Parks On Avoiding Bear Encounters:
- Remain alert.
- Shouting regularly or singing loudly is far more effective than using bear bells.
- Keep your ears open. Do not wear headphones or earbuds while on trails.Watch for fresh bear signs. Tracks, scat and digs indicate that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh or if you encounter carrion.
- Travel in groups and during daylight whenever possible.
- Keep your dog on a leash or leave it at home.
- Be aware if any attractants you many have and store them correctly.
- Carry and know how to use bear spray.