Grizzly bears vocalize for a wide variety of reasons including establishing dominance, signaling aggression and communicating with cubs or mates. These vocalizations come in many forms like grunts, moans, growls and the all powerful roar.
The following footage was taken by a biologist in Alberta, Canada who spotted two grizzly bears emerging from the woods on April 9th shortly after the end of their winter hibernation.
The pair can be heard loudly communicating with each other in a series of moans which usually connote a relaxed state as opposed to huffing and jaw-popping which indicate agitation or nervousness.
From a biologist friend in Alberta from earlier today. Both black and grizzly bears are just beginning to come out of hibernation. Please give them plenty of room. Respect wildlife!🙏 pic.twitter.com/CDnqrGtiWi
— Lyle Lewis (@Race2Extinct) April 10, 2025
Understanding grizzly bear vocalizations can be essential information for ensuring safety in an encounter along with interpreting body language and contextual clues. Learn more about staying safe in grizzly bear territory from Parks Canada below:
Parks Canada Bear Safety Guidelines:
Bears travel the same trails people do, on the path of least resistance. You can help protect these animals by avoiding encounters with them.
- Avoid travelling in high quality bear habitat at key times of year. Make noise! Let bears know you are there. Call out, clap hands, sing or talk loudly especially near streams, dense vegetation and berry patches, on windy days, and in areas of low visibility. Bear bells are not effective. Bears can be so preoccupied eating that they may not be aware of your presence
- Watch for fresh bear signs. Tracks, droppings, diggings, torn-up logs and turned-over rocks are all signs that a bear has been in the area. Leave the area if the signs are fresh.
- Keep your dog on a leash and under physical control at all times. We recommend leaving your dog at home if you plan to camp, hike or go into the backcountry. Dogs can trigger aggressive behaviour from wildlife.
- Larger size groups are less likely to have a serious bear encounter. We recommend hiking in a tight group of four or more. Never let children wander.
- Use officially marked paths and trails and travel during daylight hours as bears are more active at dawn and dusk.
- If you come across a large dead animal, leave the area immediately and report it to Parks Canada
- Dispose of fish offal in fast moving streams or the deep part of a lake, never along stream sides or lake shores.
If you SEE a bear
Stop and remain calm. Be ready to use bear spray. Do not run away.
OBSERVE:
Is the bear UNAWARE of your presence?
Move away quietly without getting its attention.
Is the bear AWARE of your presence?
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. 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 may provide protection.
If you must proceed, make a wide detour around the bear, move well off the trail or wait at a safe distance for it to move on.
If the bear APPROACHES
Stop and remain calm. Get ready to use your bear spray. Do not run away. Assess the bear’s behaviour and determine why it is approaching.
Is it DEFENSIVE?
The bear is feeding, protecting its young and/or surprised by your presence. It sees you as a threat. The bear will appear stressed or agitated and may vocalize.
- Try to appear non-threatening.
- Speak in a calm voice.
- When the bear stops advancing, start slowly moving away.
- If it keeps coming closer, stand your ground, keep talking, and use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact, fall on the ground and play dead. Lie still and wait for the bear to leave.
Is it NON-DEFENSIVE?
A bear may be curious, after your food, or testing its dominance. In the rarest case, it might be predatory–seeing you as potential prey. All of these non-defensive behaviours can appear similar and should not be confused with defensive behaviours.
The bear will be intent on you with head and ears up.
- Speak in a firm voice.
- Move out of the bear’s path.
- If it follows you, stop and stand your ground.
- Shout and act aggressively.
- Try to intimidate the bear.
- If it approaches closely, use your bear spray.
Handling an ATTACK
Most encounters with bears end without injury. If a bear actually makes contact, you may increase your chances of survival by following these guidelines. In general, there are two kinds of attack:
Defensive attack
This is the most COMMON type of attack.
- Use your bear spray.
- If the bear makes contact with you, PLAY DEAD!
PLAY DEAD! Lie on your stomach with legs apart and position your arms so that your hands are crossed behind your neck. This position makes you less vulnerable to being flipped over and protects your face, the back of your head and neck. Remain still until you are sure the bear has left the area.
Defensive attacks are generally less than two minutes in duration. If the attack continues, it may mean it has shifted from defensive to predatory—FIGHT BACK!
Predatory attackThe bear is stalking (hunting) you along a trail and then attacks. Or, the bear attacks you at night. This type of attack is very RARE.
- Try to escape into a building, car or up a tree.
- If you cannot escape, do not play dead.
- Use your bear spray and FIGHT BACK.
FIGHT BACK! Intimidate that bear: shout; hit it with a branch or rock, do whatever it takes to let the bear know you are not easy prey. This
