Both the Canadian Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta are home to large numbers of grizzly bears. On provincial land alone, Alberta has an estimated 691 grizzly bears, while British Columbia has up to 16,000.
Grizzly bears typically avoid humans, but crops, livestock and garbage in rural areas can encourage human-bear conflicts. In most cases they stay away from people, but female grizzlies, or sows, can be highly protective of their cubs. Such was the case when this grizzly sow charged at a truck in Alberta, seemingly defending the three cubs she had in tow.
Though this truck driver doesn’t seem to be behaving recklessly throughout this encounter, it is important to remember the proper behavior around grizzly bears. If you see a bear on the roadside from your car, do not stop. Stopping for a closer look or to take a picture will only further habituate the animal, possibly leading to more human-bear encounters in the future. Instead just drive along. Read more on bear safety below.
Alberta Bear Encounter Guidelines:
What should I do if I see a bear but the bear doesn’t see me?
- Don’t attract attention. Leave the way you came without calling attention to yourself. Retreat slowly while keeping your eye on the bear. Never run.
- If you must move forward, give the bear a wide berth. If you have no choice but to move forward, give the bear as much space as you can.
- Stay quiet and alert. Even if you think you are a safe distance away from the bear, remain quiet, alert and calm. Continue watching for the bear until you reach your destination.
What should I do if I see the bear and the bear sees me?
- Do not run. Stay calm. Stay with your group and keep children close. Assess the situation.
- Look around. If you see cubs or an animal carcass, the bear will want to protect them. If you see either, back away from them.
- Prepare to use your bear spray.
- Back out. Leave the area the way that you came. Keep your eye on the bear without staring at it aggressively.
- Watch for a place to hide. As you back away, seek out a place of safety, such as a car or building.
- Speak to the bear in a soft, low voice. Let the bear know that you are human and not a prey animal.
- Use your noisemaker and prepare to defend yourself with bear spray.
- If you encounter a bear at close range when you’re on your bike:
- step off your bike and walk slowly away:
- keep your bike between you and the bear:
- do not try to outrun or out-cycle the bear; and
- leave the area the way you came if you spot a bear from a distance.